Accelerating Palm Seed Germination with Gibberellic Acid, Scarification, and Bottom Heat1

Abstract

Scarification and pre-soak treatments with water or 1000 ppm gibberellic acid (GA) accelerated seed germination of Alexandra palm [ Archontophoenix alexandrae (F. J. Muell.) H. Wendl. & Drude]. Macarthur palm [ Ptychosperma macarthurii (H. Wendl.) Nichols] germination was accelerated following scarification or pre-soaking in 1000 ppm GA, however, in both species greatest acceleration was obtained when the scarification and GA treatments were combined. Germination time of Macarthur palm was also reduced by 6 weeks when sown in beds heated to 27° ± 1°C.