A cDNA-AFLP approach on Brassica napus L.seeds was used to identify genes associated with desiccation tolerance during the seed development and germination.After compared with the database of NCBI,among the 394 specific transcript-derived fragments (TDFs) obtained with 128 primer pairs,189 TDFs presented significant similarity with the functional genes which can be classified into transcription factor,basic metabolism,stress resistance,signal transduction protein and so on.Using a RT-PCR approach,the significance of difference was confirmed.It indicated that Ubiquitin,Caleosin,Oleosin,HSP and some of the transcription factors can be induced by the seed dehydration.All the findings revealed that the progress of dehydration happened in seed development and germination is very complicated and involved in many fields of the plant life.