NUT STORAGE PERIODS AND NUT SIZES EFFECTS ON CASHEW (Anacardium occidentale L.) SEEDLING EMERGENCE AND GROWTH

Investigation into the appropriate storage period before sowing of cashew nut was conducted at Ibadan using jumbo (>16 g) and medium (6-8 g) - size nuts. Nuts stored at 0 (within 7 days of harvest), 1 - 12 month periods were sown at monthly interval into polythene pots containing 2 kg soil pot -1 at 2.5 cm depth in four replicates in the nursery for two sowing seasons. Data on days to seedling emergence and % emergence were monitored. Growth parameters of height (cm), stem girth (mm) and biomass (g) were taken at 12 weeks after sowing. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at 5% level of significance. Storage periods had significant effects on days to seedling emergence, percent emergence, seedling height and biomass. Days to emergence of nuts stored for 0, 1, 2, 7, 9 11, and 12 months were similar but significantly higher than other storage periods for both nut sizes. Percent emergence was higher in medium nut than in jumbo. Nut stored for 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 months had similar % emergence significantly higher than other storage periods. Growth parameters and dry matter yield were higher for jumbo size. Cashew nuts retained viability and would emerge up to 11 months in storage. Jumbo size may be preferred to medium in terms of growth performance.