Hello to all,
Many years ago we carried out tests of bulb survival in two to three weeks storage of Lilium bulbs under anoxic conditions. The bulbs did not survive this treatment well. Not much more was investigated but it seems that oxygen withdrawl to bulbs is harmful in a timespan useful to kill pests.
This is exactly the oposit of what happens when dry seeds are stored in controlled atmospheres. Of course, many days of an oxygen poor interstitial atmosphere are needed to kill pests in grains and only long term storage in anoxic conditions in sealed silos permits the control of moulds in moderately moist grains. At high moisture contents even grain respiration is so high that the withdrawl of oxygen causes loss in viability.
Much literature exists on the subject since www.worldretailstore.com/item/BE-044441939X.html and the argument has been further developed in recent years, with particular achievements in Western Australia and in Africa, as documented by FAO publications.
Best regards
Henry (J. Shejbal – Rome)