Open AccessA PHYSIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO CONSERVATION OF FOUR PALM SPECIES: ARENGA AUSTRALASICA, CALAMUS AUSTRALIS, HYDRI- ASTELE WENDLANDIANA AND LICUALA RAMSAYI
Author(s) -
Dian Latifah,
Robert A. Congdon,
Joseph A. M. Holtum
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
reinwardtia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2337-8824
pISSN - 0034-365X
DOI - 10.14203/reinwardtia.v14i1.421
Subject(s) - germination , arecaceae , biology , calamus , botany , palm , seed dormancy , acorus calamus , seed dispersal , dormancy , biological dispersal , horticulture , population , physics , demography , quantum mechanics , sociology , rhizome
Palms (Arecaceae) are an important component of many tropical rainforests. Many have also been cultivated widely for agricultural commodities with high economic value. They are also important components in rehabilitation of disturbed or marginal lands. Knowledge and application of germination strategies are essential in the cultivation of palms. Many species have seeds that do not germinate readily, even when light conditions are favourable. This research determined the effects of seed coats, light and temperature on germination of Arenga australasica (H. Wendl. & Drude) S. T. Blake ex H. E. Moore, Calamus australis Mart., Hydriastele wendlandiana (F. Muell.) H. Wendl. & Drude and Licuala ramsayi var. tuckeri Barford & Dowe. We examined physical treatments to promote germination or break dormancy, as well as different light and temperature conditions. The results showed that the hard seed coats of the four species slowed imbibition. Scarified seeds germinated best for A. australasica, C. australis and L. ramsayi. The germination of all seeds was inhibited by far red light. The red light requirement suggests that these species prefer to colonise open areas. This implies that dispersal agents, canopy gaps and forest margins may play important roles in promoting regeneration as well as conservation of these palm species.