2021, Issue 5, Volume 13

INFLUENCE OF PRE-SOAKING ON SEED NUT GERMINATION IN COMMERCIAL CASHEW SOFT WOOD GRAFT NURSERY IN KERALA

Jalaja S. Menon*, Asna A.C., Smitha M.S., Irine Chacko and Amal Babu

*Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara, Kerala Agricultural University

Email: jalaja.menon@kau.in

Received-05.05.2021, Revised-14.05.2021, Accepted-26.05.2021

Abstract: Evaluation of different pre-soaking treatments and soaking duration on germination of seed nut in a commercial cashew rootstock nursery revealed that the seed nuts pre-soaked in water for 72 hours resulted in highest germination of 95.3 per cent. While soaking in water or 0.1 per cent salt solution induced early germination. The emergence of sprout was noticed in 3.3 days after sowing when seeds are presoaked for 96 hours, either in water or 0.1per cent salt solution and recorded 9.3 days for fifty per cent germination. Presoaking cashew seed nuts in water for 72 hours recorded the lowest mean germination time of 8.6 days and 11.0 days for fifty percent germination and 5.0 days for emergence of first sprout.  Thus, low cost pre-soaking treatment of cashew seed nut in water , by changing water daily  can hasten the emergence of sprout, time to germinate, total germination per cent and which in turn may reduce the cost of production of cashew grafts in a commercial nursery.

Keywords: Germination, Cashew seed nut, Kerala

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