Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a cool season vegetable crop, but
can be well adapted to the Indian sub-continent. Onion seeds in
general have poor longevity and lose viability rapidly under
sub-tropical conditions. One of the major constraints in onion
cultivation is the limited availability of vigourous seeds at the
time of sowing due to poor storability under fluctuating ambient
temperatures and relative humidity. However, lowering either
of these factors during storage significantly increases storage
life of seeds (Roberts, 1972; Khanal, 1990). Use of hermetically
sealed containers, desiccants and low temperatures improves
storability as several physiological and biochemical processes
and products are being regulated during dry storage.