Although the level of seed desiccation sensitivity (LSDS) may have an impact on plant species conservation, information is available for <10% of tropical angiosperms. A study was conducted to assess the LSDS of 28 tropical montane species in Sri Lanka. Seeds were extracted from freshly collected fruits. Initial weight was recorded, and thousand seed weight (TSW) was calculated. Seed moisture content (MC) was determined. LSDS was determined using seed desiccation experiments and predicted using the TSW–MC criterion. Seed storage behaviour was predicted using LSDS and storage data and using a model based on phylogenetic affiliation. The relationship between LSDS and seed dormancy, life form and forest strata was evaluated. Fresh seeds of only 12 species germinated to >80%. Although seeds of the other species had >80% viability, only 0–70% germinated due to dormancy. Seeds of five species had MC <15%, indicating desiccation tolerance (DT). Seeds of 12 species lost viability after desiccation, indicating desiccation sensitivity (DS). Seeds of Ardisia missionis, Psychotria gartneri and Psychotria nigra remained viable after desiccation, showing DT. Seeds of 17 species were DS and those of 11 species DT. The TSW of four species was >500 g. Thus, seeds of other species were predicted to be DT by the TSW–MC criterion. A relationship was identified between LSDS and the forest strata of the species. More canopy species produced DS than DT seeds. Since seeds of most of the studied species were DS, these species may be threatened due to prolonged droughts predicted for the region due to climate change.

中文翻译：

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斯里兰卡选定的热带山地物种的干燥耐受性和敏感性

尽管种子干燥敏感性 (LSDS) 水平可能对植物物种保护产生影响，但只有不到 10% 的热带被子植物的信息可用。进行了一项研究以评估斯里兰卡 28 种热带山地物种的 LSDS。种子是从新鲜收集的水果中提取的。记录初始重量，计算千粒重（TSW）。测定种子水分含量（MC）。LSDS 使用种子干燥实验确定，并使用 TSW-MC 标准进行预测。使用 LSDS 和存储数据并使用基于系统发育隶属关系的模型预测种子存储行为。评估了 LSDS 与种子休眠、生命形式和森林地层的关系。只有 12 种新鲜种子发芽率 > 80%。虽然其他物种的种子有 >80% 的生存力，由于休眠，只有 0-70% 发芽。五个品种的种子 MC <15%，表明耐干燥（DT）。12 种种子在干燥后失去活力，表明干燥敏感性（DS）。的种子传教士,精神病学和黑精神病干燥后仍能存活，显示DT。17种种子为DS，11种为DT。四个物种的TSW> 500 g。因此，根据 TSW-MC 标准，其他物种的种子被预测为 DT。确定了 LSDS 与该物种的森林地层之间的关系。与 DT 种子相比，更多的树冠物种产生 DS。由于大多数研究物种的种子都是DS，因此这些物种可能由于气候变化导致该地区长期干旱而受到威胁。