What happens inside a gene bank’s seed vault?
Imagine a time capsule filled with seeds that might not be needed for 100 years or more. That’s exactly what happens at the Seed Viability Lab in NGB, where plant genetic material is stored at temperatures as low as -20°C to ensure long-term preservation.
But storing seeds isn’t as simple as putting them in a freezer. Scientists test for viability, purity, and resistance to environmental stress to ensure they remain usable for future generations. Some seeds even undergo cryopreservation, a technique that keeps them alive indefinitely.
Why does this matter? Because when agricultural crises strike—like droughts or disease outbreaks—these frozen seeds could be the key to reintroducing resilient crops back into the fields.
