Oil palm seed germination, GOPDC (Ghana Oil Palm Development Company) visit from 28th to 30th July 1999

Cochard, Benoît

Oil palm seed germination, GOPDC (Ghana Oil Palm Development Company) visit from 28th to 30th July 1999

1999

Cochard, Benoît

B. Cochard carried out a mission to GOPDC from 28th to 30th July, following germination problems encountered by the company. On 21st July, i.e. 42 days after seed heating was halted, GOPDC had only obtained 12.5% germination. After familiarization with the method used and the way it had been implemented, a tour was made of the germinator. GOPDC told us that the so-called "dry heat" method had been used. The method involves two phases. The first consists in breaking seed dormancy by soaking, the second consists in enabling germination by rehydrating the seeds. The method applied by GOPDC was far from the one recommended in Oléagineux, vol 45, No. 11 dated November 1990 (IRHO Advice Note 313). The soaking time prior to heating was excessive; it lasted 16 days, whereas the recommended time is only 7 days. Subsequent seed drying was insufficient, since moisture to fresh kernel weight was 22-23%, whereas the recommended seed moisture prior to heating is 19% of fresh kernel weight. The heating time was excessive, lasting for 115 days when the recommended time is only 80 days. Seed rehydration after heating was forgotten. If GOPDC wishes to germinated dry seeds, it needs to acquire the know-how. Training is required. It could take place at La Mé and/or GOPDC. We have suggested that GOPDC contact CNRA for that purpose. Germinator quality will then have to be checked. For the time being, we feel it is more reasonable for GOPDC to continue taking in supplies of germinated or preheated seeds. (Résumé d'auteur)

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