Abstract
In many -but not all- recalcitrant Quercus seeds, water loss
during drying only occurs through scar. Consequently, embryo sitting on
the opposite side of scar is well protected from desiccation. However,
whether such mechanism is common throughout Fagaceae species is
unexplored. Similarly, little is known about the desiccation response of
other Fagaceae genera. Germination and desiccation tolerance of
Castanopsis sclerophylla (Fagaceae) were studied by drying the
seeds. Fresh seeds had a moisture content (MC) of 36% and germinated to
93% when incubated at 15/20°C. Drying seeds to 22.5 and 20.7% MC
decreased germination to 27 and 0%, respectively; indicating seeds are
recalcitrant. X-ray computed tomography and photomicrographs showed that
embryo of C. sclerophylla sits just below scar. Regardless of
drying occurring either through only scar or whole pericarp, embryo
drying was deemed unavoidable. Nevertheless, germination percentage
during drying showed exceptional similarities with the other Fagaceae
species.