Seed Science Research

Table of Contents - 1994 - Volume 4, Issue 02  

Short Communication

Desiccation tolerance in two species with recalcitrant seeds: Clausena lansium (Lour.) and Litchi chinensis (Sonn.)

J. R. Fua1 c1, J. P. Jina1, Y. F. Penga1 and Q. H. Xiaa1 p1

a1 Department of Biology, Zhongzhan University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China

Abstract

Seeds were collected at weekly intervals from mid-maturation to the fully ripened stage. As seed development progressed, desiccation tolerance increased. Desiccation tolerance of C. lansium seeds was greatest at 67 days after anthesis (DAA), when they tolerated air drying for 9 days; 74 DAA was considered as physiological maturity, and their full viability was only maintained for up to 3 days of drying; overripened seeds (88 DAA) had the lowest desiccation tolerance. In L. chinensis, the desiccation sensitivity of seeds at 98 DAA (fully mature) was higher than that at 84 and 91 DAA (less mature); among the excised embryonic axes at different developmental stages, the less mature ones were less sensitive to desiccation than the fully mature ones; excised embryonic axes of the same stage were more tolerant of desiccation than whole seeds.

(Received January 18 1994)

(Accepted February 25 1994)

Keywords

  • Clausena lansium;
  • desiccation tolerance;
  • Litchi chinensis;
  • recalcitrant seeds;
  • seed development

Correspondence:

c1 Correspondence

p1 Present address Seed Station of Guangdong Province, 135 East Xian-Lie Road, Guangzhou 510500, People's Republic of China.

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