Desiccation tolerance and sensitivity of selected tropical montane species in Sri Lanka

Although the level of seed desiccation sensitivity (LSDS) may have an impact on plant species conservation, information is available for 80%. Although seeds of the other species had >80% viability, only 0–70% germinated due to dormancy. Seeds of five species had MC 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.