Saving seeds in the bank for use in the future
Conserving seeds through Kew's Millennium Seed Bank partnership provides an important insurance policy for the future of the world's plant life.
Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank’s global partnership aims to secure the safe storage of 25% of the world’s plants by 2020, targeting species and regions most at risk from climate change and the ever-increasing impact of human activities.
The seeds we conserve are increasingly used for global habitat restoration. The reintroduction of plant species will become increasingly important as the effects of climate change and other human impact events become more marked. Kew, and other botanic gardens worldwide are uniquely placed to enable these efforts.
Discover more about how we process the seeds for storage at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank.
Unpacking seeds at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank
Seeds are sent by courier to Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank in consignments from partner organisations all over the world. They are unpacked and checked. These collections are often still in their original collecting cloth or paper bags.
Discover more about unpacking seeds at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank
Identifying seeds at Kew's Herbarium
Before storage we must correctly identify the species. This is because out in the field, it is not always possible to be certain that you have found the correct plant.
Discover more about how we identify seeds at Kew's Herbarium
Recording data about seeds
For each species collected, data is stored about where it came from, how it was processed and where it has been used.
Discover more about how and why we record data about seeds
Assessing seed storage needs
Not all seeds can be stored using the standard process.
Discover more about assessing seed storage needs
Cleaning seeds for storage
The diversity of the dispersal systems of seeds pose a challenge for collectors and seed bank curation staff.
Discover more about cleaning seeds for storage
Checking seed quality
Seeds are visually checked to ascertain their condition and how many are not likely to germinate.
Discover more about checking seed quality
Estimating seed quantity
Several methods are used to estimate the number of seeds in a collection.
Discover more about estimating the quantity of seeds
Drying seeds for conservation
Under most circumstances, both drying and freezing increase the longevity of seed in the bank.
Discover more about drying seeds for conservation
Packaging seeds for the bank
Seeds need to be stored in a variety of air-tight containers
Discover more about packaging seeds for the bank
Keeping seeds in cold storage
Most of the seeds are stored at -20°C.
Discover more about keeping seeds in cold storage
Checking that seeds will germinate
At the start of storage, and every so often subsequently, the collections are taken out of the bank and germinated, to make sure that they are still alive.
Discover more about checking germination
Producing new seeds through growing out
Finally, where seeds are used up or when viability falls to a low level, then collections may be grown out to obtain a new seed collection.
