Improvement of Seedling Vigour by Chemopriming in Cashew
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Authors
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MEERA MANJUSHA AV
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Pilicode, Kasaragod, Kerala-671310, India
Author
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PK RETHEESH
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Pilicode, Kasaragod, Kerala-671310, India
Author
Keywords:
Cashew, Priming, KNO3, Seedling vigourAbstract
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), is mainly propagated through soft wood grafting. Success of
grafting and health of the graft is profoundly influenced by the vigour of root stock. In many crops, seed priming
has been reported as an effective technique to produce vigorous seedlings. Hence a study was conducted at
Kerala Agricultural University Regional Agricultural Research Station (North zone), Pilicode, to know the influence
of different seed priming agents on growth and vigour of the rootstock seedlings of cashew. Seeds of the cashew
variety: Priyanka, which is popular in the region, was used for raising the root stock seedlings. There were significant
differences on the percentage of germination of seeds among the treatments. While the percentage of germination
was highest for the seeds primed with KCl 0.5%, that was lowest for the seeds primed with urea 5% and 10%.
Germination rate was highest for KNO3 3%. Differential responses to treatments were noticed as days progressed.
At 15 days after sowing (DAS), seed vigour index (SVI) was highest with KNO3 1% and 3% treatments, though the
seedling length, girth and number of leaves did not vary significantly. At 30 DAS the seedling length was highest
with KCl 1% and stout plants were observed with those raised from the non-primed seeds and seeds primed with
distilled water for 24h. SVI was highest with the seeds primed with KCl 0.5% and distilled water 12h. At 45 DAS,
the treatments using urea 5% and 10%, KNO3 3% and non-primed seeds have resulted in taller seedlings. Whereas
non treated seeds and seeds primed with distilled water for 12h had higher girth. Highest number of leaves was
observed when priming the seeds with distilled water for 24h, Urea 10% and KNO3 3%. SVI was highest with
treatments of KNO3 3%, non-primed seeds, distilled water for 12h and urea 10%. Since seed priming with KNO3
3% resulted higher SVI, seedling length and increased number of leaves that could be recommended for obtaining
good quality rootstocks in cashew.
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