May act as a short alcohol-polyol-sugar dehydrogenase possibly related to carbohydrate metabolism and the acquisition of desiccation tolerance. May also be involved in signal transduction. Expressed in embryogenic cells, somatic embryos and seeds in the later stages of development, but not in non-embryogenic cells and mature leaves. Increased expression during seed maturation (after 29 days after fertilization). By abscisic acid. Belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family.