Recent evidence points to relationships between intra-specific seed mass variation and viability loss in response to ageing stress. However, little is known about how seed quality may change temporally in response to such stress. Here we examined seed–water relations of mass-separated Rudbeckia mollis seeds to better understand physiological status among mass classes. We then evaluated seed viability and vigour changes in response to various storage conditions or post-storage vigour tests (a 41°C, 75% RH stress for up to 45 d). We found similar pre-storage physiology among mass classes. However, seeds of lower mass deteriorated up to 1.5-fold faster than heavier seeds under certain conditions. Stressing seeds after storage resulted in distinct vigour differences among mass classes. For example, vigour in lower mass seeds tended to decline more compared to heavier seeds following storage in a climate-controlled room. Alternatively, vigour loss varied among mass classes following storage in a non-climate-controlled shed. Our results highlight the importance of distinguishing between pre-sowing storage and post-storage vigour effects when quantifying relative levels of viability loss among seeds of different mass. Furthermore, differential responses to storage and ageing stress among mass classes may have important implications for post-storage regeneration and subsequent population dynamics.

中文翻译：

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不同质量的黄花菜种子在贮藏过程中的活力和活力损失：一个特定内的观点

最近的证据指出了种内种子质量变化与响应老化压力的活力损失之间的关系。然而，对于种子质量如何响应这种压力而发生时间变化知之甚少。在这里，我们检查了质量分离的种子 - 水关系金光菊种子，以更好地了解大众阶层的生理状态。然后，我们评估了种子活力和活力变化以响应各种储存条件或储存后活力测试（41°C，75% RH 压力长达 45 天）。我们在大众课程中发现了类似的储存前生理学。然而，在某些条件下，质量较小的种子比较重的种子劣化速度快 1.5 倍。贮藏后对种子施压导致质量等级之间存在明显的活力差异。例如，与较重的种子相比，在气候控制的房间中储存后，较低质量种子的活力往往会下降更多。或者，在非气候控制的棚屋中储存后，活力损失在质量等级之间有所不同。我们的结果强调了在量化不同质量种子的相对活力损失水平时区分播种前储存和储存后活力效应的重要性。此外，质量等级之间对储存和老化压力的不同反应可能对储存后再生和随后的种群动态具有重要意义。