Scarification is needed to liberate the seeds from physical dormancy. The different scarification methods, such
as removal of the operculum through the germ pore, drilling two holes through the shell and removal of the
shell combining with or without heat were observed to find out the best dormancy breaking method comparing
with commercial dry heat (control) in tenera oil palm seed of cross 23 and 37. Among the scarification methods,
operculum removal without heat gave the highest germination and showed no significant variation with control
(80.66% vs 85.17%), whereas highly significant differences with all other methods which yielded very low. Time
to emergence, T50 and time to final germination were rapid in the operculum-removed seed without heat over
the controlled seed. There were no differences of final germination in both crosses. The results suggested that
operculum removal without heat affected obviously on germination. This method could remove the limitations
of the control treatment associated with time consuming and high cost of process, and may be developed as a
practical guide for the planters with economic aspect.