聚乙二醇(PEG6000)模拟干旱胁迫抑制矮沙冬青种子的萌发

本研究以新疆特有濒危保护植物矮沙冬青(A mmmopiptanthus nanus(M.Pop.)Cheng f.)的种子为材料,用不同渗透势浓度的聚乙二醇(PEG6000)模拟干旱胁迫,探讨干旱胁迫对矮沙冬青种子发芽率、平均发芽速度、胚轴和胚根长度及发芽指数、活力指数的影响.结果表明,不同浓度PEG胁迫处理均降低了种子的发芽率,延缓了矮沙冬青种子萌发进程;种子的发芽率、发芽指数和活力指数均随胁迫强度的增加呈明显下降趋势.当-1.20 MPa的PEG胁迫处理的种子在试验结束时仍未能萌发,表明-1.20 MPa是矮沙冬青种子萌发的临界水势.PEG模拟干旱胁迫中,当PEG处理为-0.2 MPa时,虽然最终发芽率与对照一样,但其胚根、胚轴的长度都比对照短,说明矮沙冬青胚根、胚轴的生长比发芽率对干旱胁迫更敏感.干旱胁迫可能是导致矮沙冬青种群天然更新能力弱的原因之一.本研究将为矮沙冬青种质资源的保护和种群的恢复提供科学依据.     

矮沙冬青种子特性和萌发影响因素的研究

 对矮沙冬青(Ammopiptanthus nanus)种子的特性和萌发影响因素进行了初步研究,结果表明：种子不易传播;虫蛀率高,室温贮藏60 d的种子虫害率为38%;易形成硬实,含水量为7.68%的种子在30 ℃温水中浸泡90 h,只有33.33%能吸水膨胀。种子萌发时不需光,在15～30 ℃和室温（18～32 ℃）条件下,经9 d的萌发,发芽率均可达80%以上,30℃时萌发最快;在1～2 cm深的沙壤中,种子出苗率可达75%以上,超过3 cm显著降低,超过6 cm则低于20%;种子在沙壤中萌发时,沙壤的适宜湿度为19.35%～28.75%,高于32.43%或低于3.85%,很少有种子萌发;含水量分别为19.36%、10.64% 和7.68%的种子发芽率无显著差异,在-10 ℃和5 ℃下贮藏7个月,发芽率也无显著降低,但在室温和35 ℃下贮藏7个月则显著下降,发芽率下降的速度与种子本身的含水量和贮藏温度正相关;在湿度分别为7.41%、13.79%和28.57%的沙壤中播种育苗,幼苗死亡率高达77.49%、81.25%和89.49%,即使用三唑酮拌种,死亡率亦高达50.27%、69.53%和76.03%,幼苗死亡率与沙壤湿度正相关。     

外来物种互花米草种子萌发的生态适应性

在3种条件即不同萌发温度和光照、不同贮藏温度和时间、不同盐浓度下,研究了互花米草种子萌发及胚生长特性.结果表明:在相同温度下,种子的萌发不受光照或黑暗条件影响,最适萌发温度为16/26℃(夜/昼)和25℃,萌发率高于90%;在-5℃、0℃、5℃、10℃的贮藏温度下,贮藏120 d的种子萌发率高于74%,表明种子能够安全越冬;当盐浓度为75～225 mmol·L~(-1)时,萌发率高于90%,150 mmol·L~(-1)的盐浓度较适宜胚的生长,胚芽鞘和胚轴的生长先于胚芽和胚根,盐溶液对胚轴、胚芽鞘的生长所产生的抑制作用小于胚根、胚芽,有利于已萌发的幼苗快速出土,适应多变的潮间带环境.     

浑善达克沙地黄柳种子发芽和幼苗生长特性的研究

在实验室通过模拟野外自然条件,研究了土壤水分、沙埋厚度和温度对黄柳种子发芽与幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:(1)黄柳种子对水分条件很敏感,发芽的适宜土壤含水量为3%~20%,低于3%或高于20%发芽都会受到抑制;(2)种子萌发需要沙土覆盖,适宜覆沙厚度为0.1~0.4 cm,此条件下第5天种子发芽率达80%以上;但当沙埋厚度超过0.6 cm时,种子出苗就会受到抑制;当沙埋厚度超过1.2 cm时,将不能出苗;(3)种子发芽的适宜温度为15~35℃,当温度高于45℃时种子将不能萌发并最终死亡;(4)幼苗的耐热性较强,40℃处理下幼苗出现热害症状,并且热害症状发展缓慢,60℃处理下90 min后幼苗干枯死亡;(5)种子的寿命为120 d左右。     

温度对干旱、盐胁迫下两种黄芪属种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

为探讨温度对干旱、盐胁迫下黄芪属种子萌发和幼苗生长特性的影响,以黄芪属蒙古黄芪和扁茎黄芪2种种子为研究对象,纯净水处理为对照组,NaCl、PEG处理为实验组,设置4个渗透势水平(0、-0.1、-0.3、-0.5 MPa),置于5种不同的温度(10、15、20、25、30 ℃)下,每日观察并记录两种种子萌发和幼苗生长情况。结果表明：旱盐胁迫下蒙古黄芪和扁茎黄芪种子萌发最适宜的温度分别为25和20 ℃左右;蒙古黄芪耐高温不耐低温,而扁茎黄芪恰恰相反;但25和20 ℃均适宜两种幼苗生长,包括胚根、胚轴和子叶的生长。蒙古黄芪各处理组(除未发芽的种子)的平均发芽时间都比扁茎黄芪长;NaCl胁迫程度的增加使得两种种子的最终发芽率降低,但蒙古黄芪的耐盐性高于扁茎黄芪;随着PEG胁迫程度的增加,二者的发芽均受到抑制,甚至会出现完全不萌发,但扁茎黄芪的耐旱性高于蒙古黄芪;在相同的渗透势时,尤其是-0.5 MPa,PEG比NaCl对两种种子的影响大;交互胁迫作用下,随着渗透势的增加两种幼苗的鲜重、干重以及胚根、胚轴、子叶的长和宽变化较大;利用Design Expert软件预测发现：温度25 ℃、NaCl渗透势为-0.1 MPa,温度24 ℃、PEG渗透势为-0.04 MPa的处理是蒙古黄芪种子萌发和幼苗生长达到最优化的组合;而扁茎黄芪最优化的组合则为23 ℃下NaCl渗透势为-0.07 MPa的处理,20 ℃下PEG渗透势为-0.13 MPa的处理。     

温度对干旱、盐胁迫下两种黄芪属种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

为探讨温度对干旱、盐胁迫下黄芪属种子萌发和幼苗生长特性的影响,以黄芪属蒙古黄芪和扁茎黄芪2种种子为研究对象,纯净水处理为对照组,NaCl、PEG处理为实验组,设置4个渗透势水平(0、-0.1、-0.3、-0.5 MPa),置于5种不同的温度(10、15、20、25、30℃)下,每日观察并记录两种种子萌发和幼苗生长情况。结果表明:旱盐胁迫下蒙古黄芪和扁茎黄芪种子萌发最适宜的温度分别为25和20℃左右;蒙古黄芪耐高温不耐低温,而扁茎黄芪恰恰相反;但25和20℃均适宜两种幼苗生长,包括胚根、胚轴和子叶的生长。蒙古黄芪各处理组(除未发芽的种子)的平均发芽时间都比扁茎黄芪长; NaCl胁迫程度的增加使得两种种子的最终发芽率降低,但蒙古黄芪的耐盐性高于扁茎黄芪;随着PEG胁迫程度的增加,二者的发芽均受到抑制,甚至会出现完全不萌发,但扁茎黄芪的耐旱性高于蒙古黄芪;在相同的渗透势时,尤其是-0.5 MPa,PEG比NaCl对两种种子的影响大;交互胁迫作用下,随着渗透势的增加两种幼苗的鲜重、干重以及胚根、胚轴、子叶的长和宽变化较大;利用Design Expert软件预测发现:温度25℃、NaCl渗透势为-0.1 MPa,温度24℃、PEG渗透势为-0.04 MPa的处理是蒙古黄芪种子萌发和幼苗生长达到最优化的组合;而扁茎黄芪最优化的组合则为23℃下NaCl渗透势为-0.07 MPa的处理,20℃下PEG渗透势为-0.13 MPa的处理。     

聚乙二醇模拟水分胁迫对沙地樟子松种子萌发影响研究

以引种区沙地樟子松种子为材料,观测了聚乙二醇(PEG)模拟水分胁迫对沙地樟子松种子萌发的影响.结果表明,不同浓度PEG处理胁迫对种子的萌发均有一定的延缓作用;种子的发芽率、发芽指数和发芽势随胁迫强度的增加呈现明显下降趋势.30%PEG处理的种子在试验结束后仍未能萌发,表明樟子松种子的萌发的临界PEG水分胁迫值小于30%,相当于-1.20MPa的水势.种子发芽后胚根和胚轴的生长亦受到PEG模拟水分胁迫,当PEG浓度为10%时(相当于-0.2MPa水势),胚根、胚轴的长度都较短,说明樟子松种子的胚根、胚轴的生长对PEG模拟干旱胁迫更敏感;但胚根/胚芽的比值随PEG模拟水分胁迫的强度增加而增加,表明樟子松种子萌发后对水分胁迫具有较强的适应性.由此可见,干旱胁迫影响引种区沙地樟子松种子的萌发可能是导致沙地樟子松人工林不能天然更新的因素之一.     

亚精胺浸种对渗透胁迫下白三叶种子萌发及淀粉代谢的影响

以‘拉丁诺’白三叶为材料,用0、10%、15%、20%（W/V）的聚乙二醇（PEG-6000）溶液模拟干旱条件,研究亚精胺（Spd）浸种对渗透胁迫下白三叶种子萌发和淀粉代谢的影响。结果表明,在PEG渗透胁迫下,白三叶种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、胚芽及胚根鲜重和胚根长度均显著（P<0.05）降低,淀粉水解为糖类的速率减慢;与蒸馏水浸种相比,0.05mmol·L^-1Spd浸种处理显著（P<0.05）提高了在渗透胁迫条件下种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、胚芽及胚根鲜重、干重和胚根长度,同时大幅提高了α-淀粉酶、β-淀粉酶及（α+β）-淀粉酶总活性,降低了淀粉含量,增加了还原糖和葡萄糖含量。说明Spd浸种提高了白三叶种子在渗透胁迫下的萌发能力和幼苗生长的环境适应性,这可能与增强种子体内淀粉酶活性,加速淀粉水解为还原糖和葡萄糖,为种子萌发和幼苗早期生长及时提供充足能量有关。     

两种云杉种子萌发和幼苗生长对环境因子的适应性

青海云杉是我国沙区通过种子育苗引种成功的物种。通过对不同储藏时间青海云杉和沙地云杉种子生活力测定、种子萌发对温度、光照、水盐胁迫以及幼苗生长对水盐胁迫和沙埋的响应实验,比较两种种子萌发和幼苗生长对环境因子适应性,为沙地云杉在我国沙区广泛引种提供参考。结果表明:1)在2年的储藏过程中,沙地云杉和青海云杉种子生活力分别由79%和72%下降了19%和5%; 2)沙地云杉和青海云杉种子适宜萌发温度分别为15—30℃和10—30℃,最适萌发温度分别为25℃(72%)和25/15℃(69%),除10℃和10/30℃外,两种种子萌发率在各温度下没有显著差异; 3)沙地云杉种子萌发光照条件为14 h光照/8 h黑暗交替(67%),青海云杉为24 h光照(61%)或24 h黑暗(61%); 4)水势在-2.7—0 MPa时,2种云杉的IGR(初始萌发率)、RGR(恢复萌发率)、ISL(初始幼苗长度)和RSL(恢复幼苗长度)均没有显著差异; 5) NaCl浓度在200 mmol/L和250 mmol/L,青海云杉种子IGR显著大于沙地云杉,NaCl浓度在0—450 mmol/L,青海云杉和沙地云杉种子RGR没有显著差异,当NaCl浓度为50 mmol/L和100 mmol/L,青海云杉ISL显著大于沙地云杉; 6)在0.5—2.0 cm沙埋深度时,青海云杉出苗率显著高于沙地云杉,沙地云杉最适沙埋深度0.5 cm,青海云杉为0.5—1.5 cm。因此,青海云杉种子萌发和幼苗生长比沙地云杉有更强的环境适应性,但只要采取合理的播种时间、播种深度和水分管理等措施,沙地云杉会和青海云杉一样在我国沙区大面积引种育苗。     

光照和温度对沙芥和斧翅沙芥植物种子萌发的影响

研究了生长于不同生境下的沙芥(Pugionium cornutum(L.)Gaertn.)和斧翅沙芥(Pugionium dolabratum Maxim.)种子萌发对光照和温度的响应。结果表明:沙芥和斧翅沙芥种子在光下萌发受到显著(P0.05)的抑制作用,其中沙芥种子萌发受光的抑制作用强于斧翅沙芥种子。在黑暗10—40℃恒温条件下,沙芥和斧翅沙芥种子在15—35℃范围内均可萌发,在15℃和35℃下沙芥种子的萌发要优于斧翅沙芥种子;其种子分别在25℃和30℃下达到最佳的萌发响应,在此条件下斧翅沙芥种子的萌发特性优于沙芥种子。在黑暗变温条件下,沙芥和斧翅沙芥种子在20/30℃(12h/12h)下达到最佳的萌发响应,此处理下的萌发率高于其各自最佳恒温处理下的萌发率,其萌发后幼苗下胚轴和胚根的长度较最佳恒温处理有明显的下降,但它们的干重却差异较小,说明变温处理有利于两种种子的萌发和形成强壮的幼苗。综上所述,沙芥和斧翅沙芥种子在黑暗和20/30℃变温条件下有利于种子萌发和幼苗建成。     

温度和土壤含水量对青冈栎种子萌发的影响

运用直播法,研究应用人工气候箱控制温度和土壤含水量对野生青冈栎种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:在12h光照条件下,青冈栎种子在变温为10℃/15℃时,萌发率很低,仅为(12±12.29)%;变温为30℃/35℃时,萌发率达最大,为(81±13.7)%。土壤含水量为30%～40%时,萌发率为(79±15.9)%;土壤含水量为90%～100%时,萌发率为(56.67±19.36)%。青冈栎种子萌发呈现出迅速萌发和推迟萌发的特点;温度对青冈栎幼苗的苗高、叶长和叶宽影响显著,对幼苗的地径、叶片数量影响不显著。恒温下,不同梯度土壤含水量处理对幼苗的苗高、地径、叶长、宽影响不显著。     

环境因子对陕西羽叶报春种子萌发及成苗的影响

陕西羽叶报春（Primulafilchnerae）是百年绝迹、曾被植物界视为可能绝灭的二年生草本植物,其种子萌发和成苗是其种群续存的前提,也是其园林开发时繁育工作的理论依据。本研究发现,陕西羽叶报春种子细小,25℃、低光（2700Ix）和当年采集种子是其萌发的最适条件。然而,该条件的成苗率仅25％左右,成苗／萌发比也比其它处理低。29℃高温下陕西羽叶报春种子存在一定程度的休眠,赤霉素（GA。）处理后萌发率虽显著增加,始萌发时间缩短,但高浓度（200mg／L）GA。处理使种子成苗率和成苗／萌发比显著降低。经过2个多月的高温高湿（29℃下萌发）处理后,将未萌发的种子重新在最适温度25℃下萌发,发现它们的萌发率不受影响,但始萌发时间显著缩短。以上结果说明陕西羽叶报春种子成熟后,及时采收并适当让其高温休眠一段时间,萌发时先用低浓度（20mg／L）GA。处理,不但可以显著提高萌发率,而且可提高成苗率和成苗／萌发比。     

Effects of altitude and seed size on germination and seedling survival of heathland plants in north Spain

The effects of altitude and seed size on germination and seedling survival were studied in Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea and Erica vagans. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory over a one year period. Seeds collected from heathlands of different altitudes were divided in two size classes. They were sowed on moist filter paper inside Petri dishes which were placed in chambers at 20 °C and a photoperiod of 12 h light/12 h darkeness. The seeds of Calluna vulgaris were the first to begin germination and had the highest rate and percentage of germination. The germination of Erica vagans was moderate, while seeds of Erica cinerea germinated later and the germination was very low. Seeds of Calluna vulgaris and E. cinerea collected at the highest altitudes had the highest germination percentages. Seed size in Calluna vulgaris and E. cinerea did not affect germination. However, large seeds of Erica vagans had higher germination rates and percentages than small seeds. The large seed size of Calluna vulgaris contributes to a better survival and growth of its seedlings.     

Seed germination and seedling emergence of three annuals growing on desert sand dunes in China

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Information on the initial growth characteristics of annuals found in Chinese deserts is very limited. The aim of this study was to investigate seed germination and interactive effects of irrigation and seed burial depth in sand on seedling emergence and seedling survival in three annuals (Agriophyllum squarrosum, Bassia dasyphylla and Aristida adscensionis) commonly growing on sand dunes in these regions. METHODS: Effects of temperature, light and polyethylene glycol-6000 on seed germination were examined by irrigating seeds sown on filter paper in Petri dishes. Seedling emergence was examined for seeds sown on the surface of, or at different depths (5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mm) in, sand-filled pots, which were irrigated under different regimes. For seeds buried at a depth of 50 mm, seed viability was examined after irrigation of the pots. KEY RESULTS: Seeds of three species germinated at most temperatures recorded between spring and autumn in their native habitats. No seed dormancy was found in any species. For all three species, seedling emergence was most favoured when seeds were buried at a depth of 10 mm. When seeds sown on the sand surface were irrigated, seed germination was considerably suppressed due to water deficiency, but many seeds remained viable. For A. squarrosum and B. dasyphylla, many seeds that were deeply buried and irrigated remained ungerminated but viable, while for A. adscensionis deeply buried seeds germinated, but the seedlings did not emerge due to unfavourable seedling growth in deep sand. CONCLUSIONS: Precipitation is the most crucial factor in determining the seasonal emergence of seedlings of the three tested species in the field. The vertical distribution of seeds in sand determines the proportion of seeds that germinate after precipitation and acts to maintain seed banks over multiple years.     

The performance of carrot seeds in relation to their viability

The germination and emergence characteristics, and early seedling growth, of carrot seeds cv. Chantenay red-cored from different sources with a range of germination from 54–94%, was compared. Seeds from protected crops (mean temperature of growth 21°C, r.h. 45–70%) gave higher percentage germination than those from crops grown outdoors (mean temperature 15°C, 70–100% r.h.). Germination was also higher from mature (seed moisture content at harvest 20% or lower) than immature seed (seed moisture content at harvest between 20 and 60%). High percentage germination (>90%) was associated with low mean germination times and low spreads of germination times whilst the reverse was true for low percentage germination. Similar relationships were found for seedling emergence characters in the field although a lower proportion of the viable seeds produced seedlings from slowly than rapidly germinating seed lots. In general, seed lots having a low percentage germination gave greater variability in plant weight than those of higher percentage germination. There was no effect of seed source on radicle or shoot relative growth rates or on post-emergence seedling growth rates.     

Seed germination and seedling fitness in Mesua ferrea L. in relation to fruit size and seed number per fruit

Effect of fruit size and seediness (seed number per fruit) was examined on germination and early growth of seedlings in Mesua ferrea L. Fruiting incidence (number of fruited trees in a population) and fruit loading (number of fruits per tree) vary from one year to the other, and were greater in 1997 than in 1998. Seeds from large fruits (> 40 g) are preferred for forestry plantations and those from small fruits (< 40 g) are discarded, despite a greater proportion of small fruits (63.2 %) than large fruits (36.8 %). A fruit, large or small in size, may contain one, two, three or four seeds. The germination percentage of seeds increased from 1-seeded through 4-seeded fruits both in laboratory and greenhouse conditions, and both in case of large and small fruits. Conversely, the mean seed weight and germination time decreased along this gradient, i.e. seeds from 1-seeded fruits were the heaviest and required maximum time for germination, and the seeds from 4-seeded fruits were the lightest and required minimum time for germination. The seeds from small fruits were lighter in weight, achieved lower germination percentages and required greater germination time than the seeds from large fruits in all four seeded categories. Seedlings from seeds from 1-seeded fruits survived better and with stronger vigour after 1 year of growth than seedlings from 2-, 3- and 4-seeded fruits. Further, seedling survival and vigour were greater for seeds from large rather than small fruits.     

沙埋和种子大小对固沙禾草沙鞭的种子萌发与幼苗出土的影响

该文研究了野外条件下不同深度的沙埋对沙鞭(Psammochloa villosa)种子萌发和幼苗出土的影响,以及温室条件下种子大小对不同深度沙埋后的种子萌发和幼苗出土的影响。结果表明,沙埋深度显著影响沙鞭的种子萌发率、幼苗出土率和种子休眠率。沙子表面的种子不能萌发。2 cm的浅层沙埋时的种子萌发率和幼苗出土率最高,1 cm 沙埋的种子萌发率和幼苗出土率次之。沙埋深度超过2 cm之后,沙鞭的种子萌发率和幼苗出土率与沙埋深度呈负相关。2 cm的种子休眠率最低。从2 ~12 cm,种子休眠率随着沙埋深度的增加而增加。在幼苗能够出土的深度(1~6 cm),幼苗首次出土所需的时间随着沙埋深度的增加而延长。种子大小对沙鞭的种子萌发率没有显著影响。但是在深层沙埋(6 cm)时,与小种子相比,大种子产生的幼苗的出土率较高。从2~6 cm,大种子形成的幼苗的茎长度都较长。     

海滨猫尾木种子萌发和实生苗抗逆性研究

本文研究不同播种时间对海滨猫尾木种子萌发的影响,以及淹水、盐度、低温条件对其实生苗生长的影响。结果表明,海滨猫尾木种子千粒重为52g,种子密度0.021g·cm^-3,种子首次出芽时间在9~16d不等,发芽率和发芽势随着播种时间推移逐渐降低。水淹至根颈对幼苗生长影响不显著,完全水淹22d后幼苗开始死亡。幼苗耐受盐分浓度为10g·kg^-1,盐分浓度超过10g·kg^-1不利于幼苗正常生长,盐分浓度超过18g·kg^-1幼苗叶片开始卷曲、脱落。3℃低温胁迫对幼苗正常生长有不利影响,0℃会导致幼苗呈现半致死状态。海滨猫尾木种子适宜随采随播,幼苗具有较强的耐水淹特性,适生盐度范围广,不耐低温。     

散枝猪毛菜的种子多型性及其萌发行为

散枝猪毛菜(Salsola bracchita)主要分布于新疆准噶尔荒漠,具有很强的抗干旱和抗盐碱能力。该文对散枝猪毛菜的果实进行了观察,表明散枝猪毛菜具有4种类型的散布单位和果实,这4种果实在形状、大小、颜色和着生方式上均有显著差异。A型果实绿色、球形、大,着生方式为横生,宿存花被革质,背部有紫红色翅状附属物,直径为(2.161±0.138) mm,单粒重为(3.810±0.113) mg;B型果实绿色、大、扁平、长圆形,着生方式为直立,宿存花被革质,背部有翅状附属物,长为(2.062±0.188) mm,宽为(1.720±0.148) mm,单粒重为(2.665±0.113) mg;C型果实绿色、大、扁平、长圆形,着生方式为直立,宿存花被膜质,背部无翅状附属物,长为(2.239±0.277) mm,宽为(1.844±0.150) mm,单粒重为(2.723±0.559) mg;D型果实黄色、小、扁平、长卵形,着生方式为直立,宿存花被膜质,背部无翅状附属物,长为(1.678±0.163) mm,宽为(1.390±0.110) mm,单粒重为(0.928±0.025) mg。A型、B型和C型种子(果实)在5 ℃/15 ℃、5 ℃/25 ℃、15 ℃/25 ℃(暗12 h/光12 h)变温条件下萌发率>68%,且B型和C型种子比A型种子有较高的萌发率和萌发速率。D型种子在3种变温条件下萌发缓慢,最终萌发率始终维持在较低水平(<20%),划破果皮和种皮能够显著提高D型种子的萌发率和萌发指数,表明D型种子处于生理休眠状态。散枝猪毛菜的种子多型性是对荒漠异质环境的一种适应。     

The effects of seed size and pericarp on seedling recruitment and biomass in Cryptocarya alba (Lauraceae) under two contrasting moisture regimes

Establishment success of plants derived from large seeds has been proposed to be greater than that of those derived from smaller ones, particularly under unfavourable conditions of moisture. Therefore, the advantages conferred by large seeds in terms of seedling performance may be modulated by abiotic conditions. The effect of seed size on Cryptocarya alba seedling performance (as determined by seedling recruitment and seedling size) was evaluated under two contrasting rainfall regimes (wet and dry year regime), simulated in the laboratory. It was also determined whether the presence of a pericarp, which had been shown to reduce germination, decreases desiccation and if this counterbalances the greater recruitment of seeds without a pericarp, especially under unfavourable conditions of moisture. Large seeds had a greater probability of recruitment and their seedlings attained a greater biomass, independently of the amount of water applied. In the simulated wet year regime, seeds with a pericarp showed a greater probability of recruitment than those lacking a pericarp. However, seedlings derived from both seed types attained a similar biomass. Under the dry year regime, seeds with and without a pericarp showed similar recruitment probabilities and their seedlings had similar biomasses. These results do not support the assumption that under favourable conditions of moisture, individual differences in seed size would not matter in term of seedling performance. A possible explanation in this case, is the presence of recalcitrant seeds in C. alba, which determines a very short time period for germination following dispersal. Therefore, any attribute that increases germination (e.g., large seeds) would be advantageous, independently of the prevailing abiotic conditions.