Physical, biochemical, and Physiological changes on oil palm (Elaeis guineensis L. Jacq) seeds throughout short-term storage

Abstract

Seed deterioration is an inexorable process, including on oil palm (Elaeis guineensis L. Jacq) seeds which are categorized as intermediate seed type. Seed deterioration rate can be predicted through physical, biochemical, and physiological parameters. This experiment aimed to study physical, biochemical, and physiological changes in oil palm seeds in short-term storage. The experiment was conducted in a 2-factors of nested design. The first factor was storage temperature: open storage (24.2 − 30.5°C; RH 48.6 − 82%) and controlled storage (22.0 − 27.7°C; RH 43.9 − 82.1%). The second factor was storage packaging: single polyethylene (PE) plastic and double PE plastic, which was nested to the first factor. Oil palm seeds of Dura (D) x Pisifera (P) variety DxP PPKS 540 were obtained from the Marihat Business Unit of IOPRI. Results showed that during 6 months of storage, the seed moisture content (SMC) decreased in all treatments, even though the final SMC (11.2-11.4%) was still at a safe level for oil palm seed storage. Significant changes on fatty acid compositions of the oil palm endosperm were not found. Seeds could be stored for 3 months under controlled storage without a significant reduction in the germination percentage compared to those of fresh seeds, while open storage significantly reduced germination 2 months after storage. Germination percentage was not correlated with fatty acid content in the endosperm. The highest germination speed index was detected 2 months after storage in both storage conditions.