Instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used to quantify the amounts of K, Mg, Cl, Ca and Mn leaked into water from imbibing dry seeds, dry fruits and isolated seed parts. A number of intact monocot and dicot dry seeds or fruits were studied as were some isolated parts such as testa, endosperm and embryo. All samples studied leaked detectable amounts of the five elements measured but the amounts leaked varied greatly. In most cases K was leaked in greater amounts than the other elements while Mn was leaked least. The leakage of Ca was highest from isolated seed coats and from mericarps of three umbelliferous species. Comparisons of the amount of element leaked with the total amount of that element present in the starting material showed that leakage, especially of K, represents a substantial loss of mineral nutrient reserves. The degree of leakage of elements did not appear to be closely related to the types of organic storage reserves present.
