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The effects of desiccation on seed survival in Acer platanoides L. and Acer pseudoplatanus L.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

J. B. Dickie ,
K. May ,
S. V. A. Morris  and
S. E. Titley
J. B. Dickie*
Affiliation:
Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6TN, UK
K. May
Affiliation:
Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6TN, UK
S. V. A. Morris
Affiliation:
Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6TN, UK
S. E. Titley
Affiliation:
Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6TN, UK
*
* Correspondence
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Abstract

Mature seeds of Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) are tolerant of desiccation, at least to moisture contents of about 7% (fresh weight basis), but those of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) are killed by drying below about 45% moisture content. Sycamore seeds are thus recalcitrant; while the classification of those of Norway maple as orthodox is confirmed by the fact that between 19% and 7.5% moisture content their longevity is increased in a predictable way by reduction of seed moisturecontent. However, the period of useful storage of the latter in seed banks may be much less than for many crop species. The rates of water loss to a dry environment of both fruits and seeds of sycamore are much less than those of Norway maple, suggesting a degree of desiccationavoidance in the desiccation-intolerant species. Seed physiological maturity (maximum dry weight) occurred 2–3 weeks earlier in Norway maple than insycamore, but in both species this occurred about 150–160 days after peak flowering. Tetrazolium staining is a good indicator of embryo viability in both species, correlating well with germination test results. In Norway maple both methods of viability testing indicated that whole-seed desiccation tolerance coincided with the attainment of maximum dry weight. Tetrazolium staining indicated the development of desiccation tolerance in the radicles/hypocotyls of both species approximately 2–4 weeks before physiological maturity. Possible correlation between changes in the level of embryo dormancy during development and the acquisition of desiccation tolerance are discussed.

Keywords

Acer platanoides L.Acer pseudoplatanus L.desiccationseed longevity
Type
Research Papers
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 1 , Issue 3 , September 1991 , pp. 149 - 162
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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Footnotes

1

Present address: School of Biological Sciences and Environmental Health, Thames Polytechnic, Wellington St, Woolwich, London SE18 6PF, UK.

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