By: Tabi-Mbi Kingsley, Ntsomboh-Ntsefong Godswill, Ngando-Ebongue George Frank, Anjambang Walters Nchu, Youmbi Emmanuel Key Words: Oil palm, seed position effect, seed heteromorphism, heteroblasty, germination.
Oil palm seed germination is erratic, fluctuating between varieties and within seeds of the same fresh fruit bunch (FFB). The cause of the low rate of germination and within-FFB germination variation is not quite clear. This study was carried out to verify if seed position on the spikelet influences germination capacity (GP) in theoil palm. The study was carried out on open and controlled pollinated FFBs with the criteria for FFB harvesting being 2-5 detached fresh fruits (FF). FF were striping from spikelets collected randomly from base, middle and apex of all FFBs sampled. 60 deep red coloured fruits usually attached at the spikelet apex and 60 orange coloured fruits habitually found at the base of the spikelet were randomly chosen to evaluate some biometric parameters after which the seeds were subjected to the traditional dry heat treatment to assess the GP. The results revealed significance in number, heteromorphism and heteroblasty between apex and basal seeds.
