ISHS Acta Horticulturae 486: II International Symposium on Ornamental Palms & other Monocots from the Tropics
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON GERMINATION OF ORNAMENTAL PALM TREES IN TUNISIA. |
| Authors: | Y. Chatty, T. Tissaoui |
| Abstract:
Ornamental palms are widely spread throughout the coastal regions of North Africa. In Tunisia, the cultivated species belong to genera acclimatised to Mediterranean regions, with the exception of the two local species, Chamaerops humilis (Doum) and Phoenix dactylifera (Date Palm). Among of the 21 species recorded in a survey done in 1993, only 9 are cultivated in some extent. The remaining species exist exclusively in collections dedicated to preserving rare and threatened species. Germination is difficult in many palms, which imposes a serious market restriction for these species. The present trial was set up to study germination, under controlled conditions at different temperatures (5, 15, 25, 35,45°C). This report was focused on ten species of palms, one local species and nine of exotic origin. Of the latter, two are widely cultivated as street trees, four are moderately cultivated, and three are rare. According to their germinating capacity, the species are grouped into 3 categories: species with rapid germination, intermediate germination, and species showing germination difficulties. The germination temperature vary considerably according to the area of origin and the ecology of each species, with most optimums falling between 15 and 35°C. | |
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