Open AccessTemperature fluctuation improves oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) dura × pisifera seed germination
Author(s) -
M. G. Norsazwan,
Uma Rani Sinniah,
Adam Puteh,
Parameswari Namasivayam,
M. Mohaimi,
I. A. Aminuddin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
seed science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.246
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1819-5717
pISSN - 0251-0952
DOI - 10.15258/sst.2020.48.1.07
Subject(s) - germination , elaeis guineensis , biology , palm , palm oil , horticulture , dormancy , tropical agriculture , agronomy , food science , physics , quantum mechanics
Oil palm is mainly propagated using dura × pisifera (D × P) hybrid seeds. Among the issues in D × P seed production are relatively poor seed germination and uniformity, despite heat treatment at 40°C to break dormancy. The conditions for germination post-heat-treatment may be a contributing factor. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of constant 30°C or ambient temperature fluctuation at two different locations, Sime Darby Oil Palm Breeding Seed Processing Renggam, Johor and the Seed Production Unit (SPU) Banting, Selangor on oil palm D × P seed germination. At both locations, final mean germination percentage and speed were higher at fluctuating temperatures compared with constant 30°C. Under fluctuating conditions, the Oil Palm Breeding Seed Processing Renggam environment resulted in higher germination (85.8%) compared with SPU Banting (69.8%). Thus, the higher temperature amplitude (difference between daily maximum and minimum temperatures) was an important factor, resulting in higher germination. Therefore, oil palm can be germinated under ambient temperature conditions to obtain higher germination than under constant temperature, avoiding the need for maintaining expensive constant temperature germination rooms. In addition, a sufficiently high temperature amplitude can be beneficial in improving the ability to germinate and the speed of germination.