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Development of desiccation tolerance in Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) seeds during maturation drying

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

T. D. Hong
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
R. H. Ellis*
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
*
* Correspondence

Abstract

Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) seeds were harvested at different stages of seed development and maturation in 1989–91. As maturation drying progressed, the seed populations showed increasing desiccation tolerance: at 67–69% moisture content, no seeds survived desiccation below 10% moisture content; maturation drying to 55–57% moisture content (values corresponding with the end of the seed-filling phase) improved desiccation tolerance, but nevertheless most seeds were unable to withstand desiccation to 5–7% moisture content; further maturation drying to 27–28% moisture content enabled the seeds to survive considerable desiccation, no loss in viability occurring in seeds dried to 3% moisture content. This considerable improvement in desiccation tolerance after the end of the seed-filling phase was correlated (P<0.05) with the progress of maturation drying and may be associated with the increase in the potential longevity of seeds of other species that occurs during seed development subsequent to seed filling.

Type
Short Communication
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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