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Discrete levels of desiccation sensitivity in various seeds as determined by the equilibrium dehydration method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Wendell Q. Sun  and
Yongheng Liang
Wendell Q. Sun*
Affiliation:
LifeCell Corporation, One Millennium Way, Branchburg, NJ 08875, USA
Yongheng Liang
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore119260
*
*Correspondence Fax: (908) 947-1085 Email: wsun@lifecell.com
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Abstract

This study examined the hypothesis that desiccation sensitivities of recalcitrant and intermediate seeds can be categorized into discrete levels of critical water potential. The equilibrium dehydration method was used to determine the critical water potential (CWP) below which desiccation damage started to occur. The CWP values of Bruguiera cylindrica, Lansium domesticum, Litchi chinensis and Lumitzera racemosa are approximately –4 MPa. The CWP values of Andira inermis, Avicennia alba, Castanea sinensis (from New Zealand), Citrus aurantifolia, Ginkgo biloba, Nephelium lappaceum and Theobroma cacao (immature axis) are approximately –8 MPa. The CWP values of Acer pseudoplatanus, Castanea sinensis (from China), Quercus rubra and Theobroma cacao(mature axis) are approximately –12 MPa. The CWP values of Artocarpus heterophyllus and Hevea brasiliensis are approximately -23 MPa, while the CWP values of Acer platanoides, Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya and Coffea arabica are approximately –73 MPa. Together with data available in earlier literature, these CWP values suggest that there are five discrete levels of critical water potential among desiccation-sensitive seed tissues. These data support the hypothesis that discrete levels of desiccation sensitivity occur among recalcitrant and intermediate seeds, and suggest that specific damaging and protective mechanisms exist at certain hydration levels.

Keywords

desiccation sensitivitydesiccation tolerancerecalcitrant seedwater stressAcer platanoidesAcer pseudoplatanusAndira inermisArtocarpus heterophyllusAvicennia albaAzadirachta indicaBruguiera cylindricaCarica papayaCastanea sinensisCitrus aurantifoliaCoffea arabicaGinkgo bilobaHevea brasiliensisLansium domesticumLitchi chinensisLumitzera racemosaNephelium lappaceumQuercus rubraTheobroma cacao
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , December 2001 , pp. 317 - 332
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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