Germination and seedling establishment in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.): An interaction between seed size, relative growth rate and seedling biomass

Abstract

<p>Seeds of cashew were used to determine the effect of seed mass (5.2 to 7.8 g) on germination, seedling emergence and growth<br />under nursery conditions. Germination percentage and germination time showed significant correlation with seed mass. Large<br />sized seeds had higher germination percentage (81.6%) and produced more vigorous seedlings. Per cent seedling emergence was<br />related to seed mass with large sized seeds exhibited faster emergence. Seed mass significantly affected seedling survival and<br />survival rate was high in seedlings arising from large sized seeds (62.9%). Seedling vigor expressed in terms of shoot and root<br />length, leaf number, leaf area and total dry matter was significantly affected by seed mass. Seedlings that emerged from large sized<br />seeds showed better growth and produced heavier seedlings as compared to medium sized seeds. RGR showed significant variation<br />(0.152 to 0.240 g g-1day-1) among two seed size classes positively correlated with seed mass, leaf area (LA), unit leaf rate per unit<br />leaf area (ULRM), root to shoot ratio (R/S) and root mass ratio (RMR) and negatively with stem mass ratio (SMR). The study<br />concluded that the seed mass and RGR have influence on seedling growth and success of seedling establishment in cashew.</p>