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Seed viability testing in seed processing is carried out to forecast germination levels. The test is destructive and involves removing the embryo from the kernel for visual inspection.

All field and laboratory operations should have standard health and safety protocols. These may vary according to local requirements and standards. Some equipment will also come with instructions on proper use, which may involve training, including health and safety issues. Failure to abide by these can result in accidents and personal injury (serious and minor); neglect of health and safety issues may incur penalties such as fines or cessation in field and laboratory activities. Guidelines in health and safety issues relating to crossing in oil palm are given below.

Seed production processes for breeding follow the same basic processes as described for (Dura) commercial seed. Breeding seed may be either Dura (thick shelled) or Tenera (thin shelled). As in commercial production, oil palm breeding seeds require heat treatment before germination will start. Seed processing procedures described in Chapters 6-9 of this manual should be implemented, but the target is dependent on the numbers of germinated seeds required for breeding purposes, e.g. trialling. Also, Tenera seeds, which are thin shelled, are treated slightly differently to thick-shelled Dura seeds during the heating step to break dormancy. Normally, Tenera seeds have a lower germination rate compared to Duras, due to them being more susceptible to fungal attack.

Oil palm seeds have sessile embryos and, for germination to start, the operculum that blocks the germ pore (and essentially makes the seed dormant) has to be weakened. Seed processing procedures must be implemented and monitored to ensure maximum and uniform germinations are achieved; the usual commercial target is over 80%.