Enhancing Germination and Seedling Quality of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.): A Review on Propagation Media and Seed Pre-treatments

DOI: 10.22161/ijeab.112.15

Abstract:
The production of high-quality seedlings is essential for improving the establishment, growth, and productivity of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.). Seed germination and early seedling development are strongly influenced by propagation media and seed pre-treatment methods. Pre-treatments such as water soaking, mechanical scarification, and application of gibberellic acid (GA₃ at 50 - 200 ppm) significantly enhance germination rates from 65 - 70% in untreated seeds to 85 - 95%, while reducing mean germination time by 3 - 6 days. Propagation media enriched with organic components further improve seedling vigour; mixtures of soil, sand, and farmyard manure (1:1:1) increase seedling height, root length, and biomass by 20 - 30% compared to soil alone. Cocopeat-based media enhance moisture retention and root development, resulting in up to 25% higher root volume and improved lateral root growth. The integration of optimized media and effective pre-treatments produces synergistic benefits, including seedling survival rates exceeding 90% and more uniform growth in height, stem diameter, and leaf area. These approaches also improve physiological traits such as chlorophyll content and root-to-shoot ratio, which are critical for successful field establishment. Overall, the combined use of appropriate propagation media and seed pre-treatments enhances nursery efficiency, reduces seedling mortality, and supports sustainable cashew cultivation. Future research should focus on nutrient uptake efficiency and long-term field performance under different treatment combinations.

Keywords:
Cashew, cocopeat, germination, propagation media, seed pre-treatments

Article Info:
Received: 15 Mar 2026; Received in revised form: 14 Apr 2026; Accepted: 18 Apr 2026; Available online: 26 Apr 2026

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