Effects of Cashew Seeds Storage Duration on Germination and Performance of Seedlings in Tanzania ()
ABSTRACT
A field trial was set in 2018/2019 season to
investigate the capacity of cashew seeds to germinate and its vegetative performance with
respect to the storage period at Agricultural
Research Institute-(TARI-Naliendele), Mtwara-Tanzania. The variable
investigated was the duration of the cashew seeds storage period. Cashew seeds were harvested at polyclonal
seed gardens (PSG) for three harvesting
seasons 2016, 2017 and 2018 consecutively; seeds were sorted, weighed
and soaked before sowing to test viability in respective to storage time. Using a randomized complete block design obeying factorial approach the
experiment was laid with three replications. The observed growth parameters
were height (cm), number of leaves, leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), leaf
area (sq cm), leaf area index (LAI), canopy diameter (cm) and seedlings canopy
ground area (sq cm). The analysis was done by using GenStat under Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT)
on seed germination. The findings indicated
that cashew seeds harvested in 2018 were the superior in both germination and
growth vigor differing significantly (p < 0.05) from other seeds harvested in the previous years. Cashew seeds
harvested in 2017 were weak and those harvested in 2016 were the worse such
that no seeds were able even to germinate. Thus, it is recommendable to sow
cashew seeds harvested at the current season for sowing than those stored for
more than a year.
Share and Cite:
Makale, A. , Nene, W. , Kapinga, F. and Ndibanya, K. (2020) Effects of Cashew Seeds Storage Duration on Germination and Performance of Seedlings in Tanzania.
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
11, 1784-1796. doi:
10.4236/ajps.2020.1111128.