Research and innovation in the processes to improve the quality of the oil palm seeds
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Author
Mora, Sergio
Chinchilla, Carlos
Sánchez, Armando
Escobar, Ricardo
Como citar
Publicación:
Revista Palmas; Vol. 28 Núm. especial, (2007); 265-272
0121-2923
Revista Palmas; Vol. 28 Núm. especial, (2007); 265-272
0121-2923
Abstract
The emergence and the quality of the plants are affected by the quality of germinated oil palm seeds and agricultural management practices during planting and pre-nursery. ASD of Costa Rica has been adopting different innovations in the oil palm seed germination process, which have had a significant impact on the recovery of a higher percentage of high quality seed, which in turn leads to lower losses during the nursery stage. The first step was to design a machine that mechanically separates the mesocarp, reducing to a minimum level the amount of fiber adhered to the seed, which among other things, decreases the substrate on which fungus can develop, which can affect germination. Another machine was recently designed and adopted that mechanically separates the rachis shoots from the bunch once it arrives from the field. This is a very quick process and it reduces the percentage of fruits mechanically damaged when the separation process is done manually using exes. Research on the factors affecting the quality of germinated seeds has focused on: i) obtaining an earlier germination after heat treatment to break latency; ii) reducing seed infestation by storage fungus during the process; iii) identifying seed abnormalities that may affect emergence and quality of nursery plants. It was determined that the time required by the seed to germinate is inversely proportional to the emergence percentages after planting and to normal plants that developed further. On the other hand, those seeds contaminated by storage fungus, such as Penicillium sp., had low emergence and generated abnormal plants. Those seeds that presented abnormal germination (abnormal radicle or plumule), mainly plumule atrophy, led to emergence deficiency. These quality factors are important indicators that must be taken into account when selecting germinated seeds, so as to reduce the probability of having customers receive seeds that do not meet the standards. Nevertheless, the agricultural management at the pre-nursery also led to the non-emergence of seeds that were apparently of good quality or to plants of a lower quality. It was found that the planting of germinated seeds in loam soils led to a better development of emerged plants, when compared to compacted and clayish soils. Another important factor to obtain seedlings of a better quality is through the use of shade during the first growth stages after planting. Durante las primeras etapas después de la siembra, la calidad de la semilla germinada comercial de palma aceitera y las prácticas de manejo agronómico afectan la emergencia, el vigor y la calidad de las plantas. Las innovaciones realizadas por ASD de Costa Rica en los procesos para germinar la semilla de la oleaginosa han tenido un impacto significativo en la recuperación de un alto porcentaje de semillas de alta calidad con mayor valor comercial. Inicialmente, se diseñó y construyó una máquina que separa en forma mecánica el mesocarpio, con lo que se reduce al mínimo la cantidad de fibras adheridas a la semilla, y ello, entre otras cosas, reduce el sustrato sobre el que se desarrollan hongos que pueden afectar la germinación. Recientemente, se diseñó y construyó otra máquina que desmenuza los racimos frescos y separa mecánicamente las espigas de los frutos. El proceso es rápido y reduce el porcentaje de frutos que se dañan mecánicamente cuando las espigas se separan manualmente con hacha. Otra innovación importante ha sido la sustitución de bolsas plásticas por envases plásticos 'herméticos', para mantener las semillas durante las etapas de almacenamiento y calentamiento para romper la latencia. El resultado ha sido un mejor control de la humedad de las semillas, que permite una germinación más rápida y uniforme, y el aumento en el porcentaje de semillas de valor comercial. La investigación sobre los factores que afectan la calidad de la semilla germinada y el vigor de la plántula obtenida se ha enfocado en la rapidez de la germinación, el efecto de la contaminación por hongos de almacenamiento y el impacto de sembrar semilla de baja calidad. Se determinó que el porcentaje de emergencia (luego de la siembra) y de plántulas normales fue inversamente proporcional al tiempo que requirió la semilla para romper su latencia. Las semillas contaminadas por hongos de almacenamiento como Penicillium sp. , pueden no germinar o bien producir plantas anormales. La siembra de semillas con germinación anormal (radícula o plúmula anormal) redujo la emergencia. Los factores de calidad expuestos son primordiales para la selección de semillas germinadas con valor comercial. De otro lado, el manejo agronómico del previvero también determinó que muchas semillas, con aparentes buenas características, no emergieran o generaran plantas de inferior calidad. La siembra en suelos de textura media (francos) permitió un mejor desarrollo de las plantas, en comparación con suelos arcillosos y compactados. El uso de sombra durante las primeras etapas de crecimiento también afectó en forma positiva la apariencia general de las plantas.
The emergence and the quality of the plants are affected by the quality of germinated oil palm seeds and agricultural management practices during planting and pre-nursery. ASD of Costa Rica has been adopting different innovations in the oil palm seed germination process, which have had a significant impact on the recovery of a higher percentage of high quality seed, which in turn leads to lower losses during the nursery stage. The first step was to design a machine that mechanically separates the mesocarp, reducing to a minimum level the amount of fiber adhered to the seed, which among other things, decreases the substrate on which fungus can develop, which can affect germination. Another machine was recently designed and adopted that mechanically separates the rachis shoots from the bunch once it arrives from the field. This is a very quick process and it reduces the percentage of fruits mechanically damaged when the separation process is done manually using exes. Research on the factors affecting the quality of germinated seeds has focused on: i) obtaining an earlier germination after heat treatment to break latency; ii) reducing seed infestation by storage fungus during the process; iii) identifying seed abnormalities that may affect emergence and quality of nursery plants. It was determined that the time required by the seed to germinate is inversely proportional to the emergence percentages after planting and to normal plants that developed further. On the other hand, those seeds contaminated by storage fungus, such as Penicillium sp., had low emergence and generated abnormal plants. Those seeds that presented abnormal germination (abnormal radicle or plumule), mainly plumule atrophy, led to emergence deficiency. These quality factors are important indicators that must be taken into account when selecting germinated seeds, so as to reduce the probability of having customers receive seeds that do not meet the standards. Nevertheless, the agricultural management at the pre-nursery also led to the non-emergence of seeds that were apparently of good quality or to plants of a lower quality. It was found that the planting of germinated seeds in loam soils led to a better development of emerged plants, when compared to compacted and clayish soils. Another important factor to obtain seedlings of a better quality is through the use of shade during the first growth stages after planting.
Palabras clave:
palma de aceite
elaeis guineensis
semillero
plántulas
tratamiento de semillas
mejora genética
almacenamiento de semillas
palma de aceite
elaeis guineensis
semillero
plántulas
tratamiento de semillas
mejora genética
almacenamiento de semillas