Dormancy is a physiological process that allows seeds to survive in unfavorable

environments by preventing their germination. For a large number of species, seed

desiccation at the end of maturation is common, and for some of these seeds, this includes

seed coat water impermeability (SCWI). The environmental conditions in which the

mother plant develops affect the seed maturation process, causing variations in both seed

physiological quality and the onset of physical dormancy. In this study, we analyzed the

induction of SCWI in immature seeds of Erythrina speciosa by artificial drying. Seeds at three

stages of immaturity were dried gradually for subsequent evaluation of their germination.

At each level of drying, the anatomical structure of the seed coat was also analyzed. Artificial

drying was able to induce SCWI in immature seeds. Furthermore, environmental conditions

affected at which stage of maturity SCWI began, and they affected development of

desiccation tolerance. However, unlike other species, there were no anatomical differences

related to this SCWI (whether by natural drying or artificial drying) and, therefore, in E.

speciosa seeds, SCWI may be related to biochemical differences in the seed coat.