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

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, andleaf 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