CONTAINER PRODUCTION OF CASHEW SEEDLING ROOTSTOCKS - SEED GERMINATION IN BEDS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO DIRECT SOWING

Cashew seedlings were successfully transplanted from beds to containers immediately after plumule emergence. When moved at this stage they received no check, required no special aftercare and subsequently performed as well as others which were direct sown. Transplanting at 5 to 7 days after emergence proved less satisfactory.

Cashew seedling root systems are extremely brittle. Taproots, already well developed at plumule emergence, lost their tips at lifting. No subsequent ill-effects of this were observed, plants soon producing other strong, downward-growing roots.

Retention of sufficient active lateral roots appeared to be most important in speedy re-establishment. Seedlings lifted 7 days after plumule emergence retained few lateral roots, the majority being broken or lost, together with the lower parts of taproots.

A light seed-bed medium of rooted coir waste encouraged rapid germination and permitted lifting of seedlings with a minimum of lateral root damage.