Abstract: The physiological characteristics changes of Osmanthus fragrans‘Zibingziyingui’seeds during natural dehydration were measured to study the seed desiccation sensitivity. The results showed that O. fragrans seeds were desiccation-sensitive as the seed viability declined to 6% when the seed moisture content was reduced to 11.6%. The seed electrical conductivity increased with the declining moisture content, a sign, which was caused by increasing cell membrane cleavage. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased rapidly during desiccation; but peroxidase (POD) activity increased to the maximal value when dehydration for 12 h, then declined rapidly when seeds were dehydrated more than 12 h. Superoxide anion radical content decreased with the declining moisture content, but it would increase rapidly when seeds were dehydrated more than 12 h. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased as seed moisture content declined, indicating that membrane peroxidation was accelerated and the seed viability would be lost.

Key words: Osmanthus fragrans, seed, moisture content, viability, desiccation sensitivity