Effect of storage and heat treatments on the germination of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seed

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a perennial tropical tree which reproduces only by seeds. In the nature, the seeds have a relative dormancy leading to very long germination process (1 to 3 years). In order to improve oil palm production, research aiming at the reduction of the dormancy period was initiated. The germination tests carried on seeds stored for different periods after harvest, showed a germination percentage of fresh seeds (not stored) significantly higher (55.39%) than that of seeds stored for 3 months (45.78%) and 6 months (38.68%). This germination ability also varies significantly with the two palm genotypes (C70XX from LM 19954 and C24XX from linear LM 19617) developed by the Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA) in Cote d'Ivoire and used in the present study. Seeds of category C70XX from LM 19954 linear present a significant superior percentage of germination than those of the category C24XX from linear LM 19617. In order to break seeds dormancy, heat incubation at 40 degrees C was applied for different durations (40, 60 and 80 days). Seeds incubated for 60 days at 40 degrees C induced higher germination percentage (56.3%) compared to the current applied delay of 80 days heating. 40 days heating period appeared to reduce the germination capability. According to these results, the usual germination techniques for oil palm seedlings production can be improved by shortening germination delay of seeds.