Seed Dormancy and Germination Behaviour of Palmyrah: A Review

Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) is a slow growing, dioecious, drought resistant palm and considered to be native of Tropical Africa. It is cultivated as well as found growing in wild in the Indian subcontinent. It is distributed in India, Burma, Africa and Sri Lanka. Several problems are encountered in germination of seeds in palmyrah such as poor, protracted germination and prolonged nursery period. The main reasons for the failure of seeds to germinate in suitable conditions are either dead or dormant. The delayed germination of palmyrah might be due to the stony endocarp acting as a physical barrier to imbibition or imposing mechanical resistance to embryo enlargement. Against this backdrop, this review focuses on seed dormancy, pre-sowing seed treatment, nursery technology, and seed storage behaviour of palmyrah.Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) is a slow growing, dioecious, drought resistant palm and considered to be native of Tropical Africa. It is cultivated as well as found growing in wild in the Indian subcontinent. It is distributed in India, Burma, Africa and Sri Lanka. Several problems are encountered in germination of seeds in palmyrah such as poor, protracted germination and prolonged nursery period. The main reasons for the failure of seeds to germinate in suitable conditions are either dead or dormant. The delayed germination of palmyrah might be due to the stony endocarp acting as a physical barrier to imbibition or imposing mechanical resistance to embryo enlargement. Against this backdrop, this review focuses on seed dormancy, pre-sowing seed treatment, nursery technology, and seed storage behaviour of palmyrah.