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Desiccation tolerance and sensitivity of selected tropical montane species in Sri Lanka

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 April 2021

Yasoja S. Athugala Open the ORCID record for Yasoja S. Athugala [Opens in a new window] ,
K. M. G. Gehan Jayasuriya ,
A. M. T. A. Gunaratne  and
Carol C. Baskin
Yasoja S. Athugala*
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, KY20400 Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, KY20400
K. M. G. Gehan Jayasuriya
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, KY20400 Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, KY20400
A. M. T. A. Gunaratne
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, KY20400 Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, KY20400
Carol C. Baskin
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA, 40506-0001 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA, 40546-0091
*
Author for Correspondence: Yasoja S. Athugala, E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Although the level of seed desiccation sensitivity (LSDS) may have an impact on plant species conservation, information is available for <10% of tropical angiosperms. A study was conducted to assess the LSDS of 28 tropical montane species in Sri Lanka. Seeds were extracted from freshly collected fruits. Initial weight was recorded, and thousand seed weight (TSW) was calculated. Seed moisture content (MC) was determined. LSDS was determined using seed desiccation experiments and predicted using the TSW–MC criterion. Seed storage behaviour was predicted using LSDS and storage data and using a model based on phylogenetic affiliation. The relationship between LSDS and seed dormancy, life form and forest strata was evaluated. Fresh seeds of only 12 species germinated to >80%. Although seeds of the other species had >80% viability, only 0–70% germinated due to dormancy. Seeds of five species had MC <15%, indicating desiccation tolerance (DT). Seeds of 12 species lost viability after desiccation, indicating desiccation sensitivity (DS). Seeds of Ardisia missionis, Psychotria gartneri and Psychotria nigra remained viable after desiccation, showing DT. Seeds of 17 species were DS and those of 11 species DT. The TSW of four species was >500 g. Thus, seeds of other species were predicted to be DT by the TSW–MC criterion. A relationship was identified between LSDS and the forest strata of the species. More canopy species produced DS than DT seeds. Since seeds of most of the studied species were DS, these species may be threatened due to prolonged droughts predicted for the region due to climate change.

Keywords

canopy speciesdesiccation-sensitive seedsdesiccation-tolerant seedsthousand seed weightunderstory species
Type
Research Paper
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , June 2021 , pp. 98 - 104
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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