The effect of desiccation on the subsequent survival of seeds of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
1997
Mwasha, A.J. | Ellis, R.H. | Hong, T.D. (The University of Reading, Reading (United Kingdom). Department of Agriculture)
The effect of storage environment on seed deterioration was investigated in five clones of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.). The seeds survived desiccation to 6 % moisture content and short-term (up to 70 days) storage at cool temperatures (0 deg C and -20 deg C). In addition, one sample was stored hermetically at 4.3 % moisture content and -20 deg C for two years and showed 100 % normal germination. Deterioration was detected when seeds were stored at 40 deg C, however. The duration of hermetic storage influenced seed germination (P0.01). There was a negative logarithmic relation (P0.005) between seed moisture content and longevity (defined as the standard deviation of the frequency distribution of seed deaths in time) at 40 deg C. There was no difference among the clones (P0.05) in this relation; the negative slope was 2.877 (s.e. 0.239). Thus cashew shows orthodox seed storage behaviour. A provisional model of the effect of seed storage moisture content and temperature on cashew seed longevity is provided
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