Abstract
The purpose of this study is to know the mechanism and optimum condition of seed germination for three palms, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Mascarena verschaffeltii and Phoenix dactylifera. The seed of Chrysalidocarpus lutescens is global with a slightly pointed edge in the top, while that of Mascarena verschaffeltii is slightly slender oval. These two kinds of seeds are uniform in their tissue of endosperm and they have a tongue-like cotyledon which elongates at a position close to the seed when the germination takes place. The seed form and germination pattern of Phoenix dactylifera are similar to those of Phoenix canariensis, but the seed size of P. daclylifera is a little larger than that of the latter.
The percentage of seed germination in Chrysalidocarpus lutescens was only 30, while those in Mascarna and Phoenix were over 90 at the optimum temperature. The optimum temperature of seed germination seems about 25°C for Chrysalidocarpus. For Mascarena, optimum was 25°C to 35°C, the highest percentage being obtained especially at 35°C. For Phoenix, the optimum range of temperature was similar.
The least number of days from planting to germination was 25, 17 and 15 in Chrysalidocarpus, Mascarena and Phoenix, respectively. The favorable seed bed was vermiculite and sand, sand and clay loam for Chrysalidocarpus and Mascarena, respectively. However, there was no difference among beds examined in Phoenix. The seed of Chrysalidocarpus was so easy to dry that it had lost the germination power two months after harvest. Although the fresh weight of seed of Phoenix reduced about 76% after the storage in room for one year, the seed maintained the germination power at 70%.
