Abstract
Sabal Palmetto and Thrinax morrisii, Arecaceae, are important ornamental palms of socioeconomic importance. Experiments using physical, mechanical and chemical pre-sowing treatments were conducted to determine the germination response of these two palm species. Among various treatments, soaking of sabal seeds in 500 ppm gibberellic acid (GA(3)) for 24 h resulted in a highest final germination percentage (FGP) of 95% in day 14 of culture and number of days lapsed to reach 50% of FGP (GT(50)) of 6.8 days. Non-treated sabal seeds exhibited FGP of 75% in day 16and GT(50) of 7.39 days. Soaking of thrinax seeds in H(2)SO(4) for 30 min resulted in a highest FGP of 90% in day 14 of culture and GT(50) of 5.19 days. Non-treated thrinax seeds exhibited FGP of 70% in day 16 and GT(50) of 8.07 days. The results indicate that thrinax seeds exhibit exogenous dormancy which is entirely imposed by the hard seed coat, whereas the sabal seeds exhibit both exogenous and physiological dormancy.