Water loss and pericarp browning of litchi (Litchi chinensis) and longan (Dimocarpus longan) fruit maintain seed vigor

•Pericarp of litchi and longan fruits rapidly loses water soon after harvest.•Rapid water loss of pericarp prevents the aril and seeds from water loss.•Seeds in the fruits maintain high vigor, while bare seeds dramatically lose water and vigor after harvest.•Fruit decay index exhibits a significantly negative correlation with seed vigor.•Phenolics from the pericarp after browning inhibit the growth of Peronophythora litchii.