Some seeds are vulnerable to static, especially lighter seeds (such as those under 1mg) and seeds with a pappus (the fluffy appendage on many seeds in Asteraceae, the sunflower family, which allows them to float in air currents). In general, many wind-dispersed seeds would also be prone to static issues.
Static doesn't usually damage seeds, but it can make seeds very difficult to work with. It can be especially challenging to clean them and separate them from light debris that also gets a static charge. Although occasionally, you can use static to your advantage if light debris sticks to a surface while seeds do not. Static can also make seeds "jumpy" or stick to the wrong places unintentionally, sometimes getting lost more easily. It can be very annoying! And it happens even in parts of the world where static isn't usually common, like humid tropical locations, because the inside of the seed bank is relatively dry.
There are a couple things you can do to minimize static issues:
- Avoid using plastic or acrylic trays for dry seed processing, as these materials are more prone to static. Using metal or cardboard trays can help reduce static.
- Use an anti-static brush to wipe down surfaces such as trays and workbenches to decrease the likelihood of a static charge building up. After you finish processing an accession, disinfect the working surface, allow it to fully dry, and wipe down the surface with an anti-static brush again just before working with more static-prone seeds. Avoid using anti-static brushes directly on seeds, because they can get stuck in the bristles.