Page 15 - Vol.39-No.7

CROP PROTECTION

SORTING OUT SEED

GERMINATION PROBLEMS

FOR OIL PALM

prevented and controlled by soaking seeds seed (500) in each polythene bag. Seeds
using an approved fungicide treatment. should be admixed with polystyrene gran-
Growers have traditionally used a mixture ules with 6 bags in each plywood box. Any
of fungicides such as 0.8 g/l mancozeb voids occurring in the box must be filled
plus 0.25 g/l benomyl with a seed-soaking with polystyrene chips or granules to keep
time of 5 minutes.. the bags and their contents secure.
Operation of a rigid selection process at Practicalities & precautions
DR. TERRY MABBETT this stage reduces the proportion of de-
formed and stunted seedlings that must be The following practicalities and precau-
Growers engaged in the early stages of rejected further down the line (pre-nursery tions are mostly common sense but vital
never the less. Air freighted seed must
preparation for the next oil palm crop will stage), and in the long run will save time be accompanied by correct identification
have broken seed dormancy and induced and money. and clear precise instructions to the for-
germination (Seeding the success of oil Despatch to growers warding agent, the carrier and recipient
palm. Arab World Agribusiness Vol.39 No so that journey time does not extend be-
6 2023), but germination problems tra- Growers may purchase and receive seed yond 5 days maximum. All seeds destined
ditionally encountered with oil palm do that is at one of three stages of germina- for export must be thoroughly inspected
not end there. That’s because a signifi- tion development depending on circum- beforehand and treated if necessary with
cant number of seeds will show abnormal stances pesticide prior to issue of the required
germination and will have to be discarded. • Growers possessing germinators, and clearance documents.
Normal embryos are characterised by the the skill and experience to use them, may
clear emergence of ivory-coloured, point- purchase and receive seed in the dry con- However, care must be taken to ensure
ed-tip plumules and rounded-tip radicles, dition, commonly packed in new, lined 50 that any pesticide used, its formulation and
8-15 mm in combined length. kg jute bags and dispatched by airfreight, concentration obeys not only legislation
pertaining at the place of export but in the
Anything that deviates from this required ship or road. importing country too. Correctly drawn up
standard is abnormal and must be discarded. • Pre-heated seed is much less sensitive and completed documentation will state
Physical abnormalities are varied and may and prone to damage than germinated seed that seeds are healthy, free from pests and
feature stunted embryos, twisted embryos, and is therefore ideal for consignments diseases and treated in accordance with
diseased embryos and incomplete growth sent over long distances, via temperate all internationally accepted procedures
and development. Similarly, physiological regions during winter and to growers who relating to pest and disease control the
abnormalities comprising discolouration, do not have access to a germinator. Dor- countries of export and import.
wilting or necrotic embryos must also be mancy termination, which is achieved by
discarded. Healthy seed batches treated in the supplier using heat treatment, leaves All packages must be clearly marked to
the right way should suffer no more than the grower to re-soak, maintain at ambi- state the exact contents and their fragile,
a 10% abnormality rate. ent temperature to promote germination sensitive condition. They must be treated
accordingly, held at a controlled suitable
Other symptoms giving cause for con- and sort as required. Pre-heated seeds are temperature in the aircraft’s hold and when
cern are the identification of fungal mould commonly dispatched in the same poly- in transit within a temperature range of
growth and necrosis during heat treatment thene bags used for heat treatment, but 20-25°C. There are two important tips
and germination. The big danger here is that double wrapped in batches of 4 or 6 using for growers.
isolated fungal growth then spreads with- heat insulating expanded polystyrene and
in the bag and through the whole batch. secured in a laminated plywood box. 1. Order seeds for the start of the rainy
Mouldy and rotting seeds are taken out and • Germinated seed can only realistically season which is the best time to plant ger-
disposed of safely. This kind of problem is be sent to local growers or in small or me- minated oil palm seeds in the pre-nursery
dium-sized export consignments. They are 2. Given the extended nature of heat
packed in the same way as for pre-heated treatment, germination and shipping make
seeds but with a much smaller number of sure you order in good time. For instance if
you plan to transfer young palms from the
nursery to the plantation in say June 2025
seeds should be ordered for the germinator
in December 2023 at the latest. As a rule
of thumb, five planted hectares compris-
ing 715 young trees require 1225 seeds
to have been placed in the germinator to
obtain 1000 normal, germinated seeds for
planting in the pre-nursery. These will be
Oil palm plants at the nursery stage reduced to 850 seedlings for the nursery
and start of a commercial life that will and then 715 young trees for 5 hectares
extend over a 25 year period Harvesting bunches of oil palm fruits in of plantation.
(Picture courtesy Omex) South East Asia (Picture courtesy Omex)
Vol. 39 No. 7 13
Circle 18 on enquiry card