Abstract: This paper epitomized the evolution of concept of seed recalcitrance . After reviewing the previous dissertation on quantitative characteristic trait of recalcitrant seeds, three aspects of quantitative characteristic trait of seed recalcitrant were defined , which are interspecific aspect , intraspecific aspect and individual developmental aspect. And it was supposed that seed recalcitrance was a compound characteristic, with its core composed of desiccation tolerance, low-temperature tolerance and storage tolerance at least, and its concomitants composed of seed size, 1000-seed weight, moisture content at shedding, non-dormancy, systemic taxonomy, ecological and biochemical aspects. Because these core and concomitants are all gradual, transitional and quantitative, it was inferred that seed recalcitrance was a compound quantitative trait. The viewpoint that seed recalcitrance is a compound quantitative trait is a new and further cognition, which will be a help for studying causes and resolve of seed recalcitrance on species-specific basis.

Key words: Recalcitrant seeds