Native trees from the Caribbean were tested for seed desiccation responses, by adapting the “100-seed test” protocol. Ninety-seven seed lots of 91 species were collected in the Dominican Republic and tested for germination immediately after collecting, and after drying and moist storage. Seed desiccation sensitivity was assessed as a continuous variable (Viability Loss Index; VLI), based on seed germination values before and after drying. The results were compared with predictions of seed desiccation responses based on seed lot traits (initial moisture content and thousand-seed weight) and with those of published predictive models based on plant and seed traits. VLI could be calculated for seed lots of 40 species. 80% of these seed lots showed consistent results among experiments and predictive models. Issues on the set up of the experiments were discussed, as well as the species for which experimental results and predictions led to contrasting results. Overall, the “100-seed test” confirmed to be an effective tool for assessing seed desiccation responses of a diverse under-investigated woody flora, guiding the seed conservation of trees and their use in reforestation programmes. In addition, by providing new data, it might improve the performance of available predictive models.

中文翻译：

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评估加勒比地区本地树木的种子干燥反应

通过采用“ 100种子测试”方案，对加勒比地区的本地树木进行了种子脱水反应的测试。在多米尼加共和国收集了91个物种的97个种子批次，并在收集后，干燥和潮湿存储后立即进行了发芽测试。基于干燥前后的种子发芽值，将种子干燥敏感性作为连续变量（生存力损失指数； VLI）进行评估。将结果与基于种子特征（初始水分含量和千粒重）的种子干燥反应的预测结果以及已发布的基于植物和种子特​​征的预测模型进行了比较。可以计算40种种子批次的VLI。这些种子批次中有80％在实验和预测模型之间显示出一致的结果。讨论了关于实验设置的问题，以及实验结果和预测导致对比结果的物种。总体而言，“ 100种子测试”被证实是评估各种未充分调查的木质植物的种子干燥反应的有效工具，可指导树木的种子保护及其在造林计划中的使用。此外，通过提供新数据，它可能会提高可用预测模型的性能。