The oil palm seed is dormant at maturity. Soaking seeds in solutions of gibberellic acid (GA3) (250 and 500 µg/l), and ethephon (1000 and 2000 µg/l) prior to heat treatment was ineffective in breaking their dormancy. However, GA3 at the concentration of 500 µg/l improved seed germination at 30, 45 and 60 days after heat treatment. No synergistic action and seed germination was obtained when GA3 and ethephon was used in combination with kinetin.