Qualitative and quantitative changes in populations of meadow fescue (Festu
ca pratensis Huds.) after seed storage under different conditions were esti
mated. Phenotypic characters of plants grown from seeds stored for 54 month
s under two different storage conditions were compared. The germination of
most of the seed accessions stored under favourable conditions remained at
the initial level while storage under unfavourable conditions resulted in a
decrease of the initial germination percentage as well as in an increase i
n the number of plants showing chlorophyll aberrations. There is great vari
ability among the accessions resulting from storage under unfavourable cond
itions. In case of a few accessions a decrease in germination below 35% res
ulted in chlorophyll aberrations, faster flowering, shorter inflorescence a
nd reduced viability of pollen grains.