Accelerationof Date Palm (Phoenix dactyliferaL) Seeds Germination

Abstract

This study was conducted in thenursery of the Horticultural Sector, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Khartoum, Sudan, to determine if pre-germination treatments could be an effective means to promote date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L .Cv.Barakawei) seed germination. Seeds were pre-soaked in water for zero, 2, 4,6,8,10,12 days prior to sowing in one of the following media: sand: clay (1: 1), sand: clay (1: 2), sand: clay (1: 0), sand: clay (0: 1) and sand: clay (2:1). The design used in this experiment was the factorial completely randomized block design. Best germination percentage of seeds was obtained with the 6day soaking time and progressively declined with increasing soaking time. The 6day soaking time also enhanced seed germination with fewest days to achieve 50% of final germination percentage. Regardless of soaking time, sowing of seeds in 2:1 sand: clay soil mix shortened the days for germination and resulted in a significant increase in germination percentage compared with other soil type mixes tested. The tallest seedlings were obtained with seeds soaked for 6days and planted inthe sand: clay 2: 1 soil mix.