Quick test for viability determination in cashew seed nut

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 1080; pp. 321 - 323
• Main Authors: Sujatha, K, Sivasubramaniam, K, Selvarani, K, Padma, J, SriPunitha, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 01.01.2015
• Subjects: cashew nuts; direct seeding; germination; hypocotyls; imbibition; plumule; prediction; production costs; recalcitrant seeds; testa; viability
• ISSN: 0567-7572
• DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1080.42

Cashew nuts possess thick seed coat requiring considerable time for imbibition to prompt nut germination. Slow imbibition of dry intact seed nuts are reported to be the main cause of delayed germination. Generally seed nuts, directly sown in polybags are expected to germinate after 2-4 weeks. Due to recalcitrant seed behaviour and poor germination some of the seed nuts do not germinate leading to empty nursery bag phenomenon, escalating production cost and time. Studies were undertaken to determine the seed nut viability by quick biochemical test (TZ test) as it helps in predicting field emergence. Based on the staining patterns it was possible to categorize stained embryonic axis into five distinct patterns as a) completely unstained, b) hypocotyl region unstained, c) plumule tip unstained, d) attachment scar unstained, e) completely stained. Completely unstained, plumule/radicle tip unstained were considered non-viable, while hypocotyl unstained, attachment scar unstained and completely stained embryos are viable.