Recalcitrant Seeds: Short-term Storage Effects in Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. may be Germination-associated

When recalcitrant propagules (seeds) of Avicennia marina werestored in a dry air stream there was no significant change intheir moisture content for 10 days, after which it declinedrapidly. Seed viability remained high during this 10-d period,only then declining. Ultrastructural changes in embryonic rootprimordium cells during the 10-d storage period were similarto those characterizing germination. It is suggested that thecontinuation of germination processes after shedding may beresponsible for the deterioration in stored recalcitrant seeds. Avicennia marina, recalcitrance, seed storage, germination