Water Potential and Viability of Seeds of Eugenia (Myrtaceae), a Tropical Tree Species, Based upon Different Levels of Drying

The aim of the present work was to study the water potential and viability of Eugenia based upon different levels of drying. The seeds showed high water content at shedding and were sensitive to desiccation; however, the level of this sensitivity (water content) varied among the species. Five target drying levels were defined according to the critical levels of hydration. Results showed that water potential seemed to be more reliable than water content. It was hypothesize that the differences in desiccation tolerance, as well as recalcitrance, among the seeds of different species could be related to the maturity level of these seeds during shedding from the mother plant. Consequently, this could be a result of the evolution on how far the maturation process could represent an advantage for the species propagation. This could also mean that Eugenia seeds were dispersed at a maturity stage similar to that observed in immature orthodox seeds.