Physical and chemical properties of dura and pisifera genotypes of oil palm seed and its viability and vigor

Abstract

Abstract Information about seed physical and chemical properties and their influence on seed dormancy, viability and vigor are barely established. The information can be useful to avoid seed deterioration and to maximize germination. This research aimed to observe the physical and chemical oil palm seed properties, and their relation to the viability and vigor. Three genotypes [Ts, Da, and Ce] from the Dura variety and one genotype [Gh] from the Pisifera variety were evaluated in a completely randomized block design with three replicates. Each genotype had different physical and chemical properties. Seeds of each genotype showed increasing amounts of carbohydrate and decreasing of water, protein, lipid, and lignin content after being held at 40°C for 45 days to break seed dormancy. Genotype Da had the highest viability and vigor compared to Ts and Ce. At the same time, there was no seed of genotype Gh germinate, probably due to the heat treatment was not suitable in breaking dormancy. There were correlations between seed weight, lipid, carbohydrate and lignin properties with seed viability and vigor. Seed protein content seems contributed less to germination compared to seed carbohydrate and lipid content.