EFFECT OF DIFFERENT POTTING MEDIA ON THE GROWTH OF CASHEW SEEDLINGS

ABSTRACT

A trial was conducted between 18th January and 18" April 2022 in the screen house at the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin-City, Nigeria to investigate the effect of different potting media on the growth of cashew seedlings (Anarcadium occidentale L.). The study involved 9 potting media (treatments) namely: Top soil + poultry manure 1:1 [TS+ PM (1:1)]: Top soil + poultry manure 1:2 [TS +PM (1:2)]: Top soil + poultry manure 2:1 (TS+PM (2:1)]: Top soil + Oil Palm Refuge Bunch 1:1[TS + OPRB (1:1) Top soil Oil Palm Refuge Bunch 1:2 [TS+ OPRB (1:2)]: Top soil + Oil Palm + Refuge Bunch 2:1 [TS+ OPRB (2:1)]; Top soil + Cow Dung 1:1 [TS+CD (1:1)]; Top soil + Cow Dung 1:2 [TS + CD (1:2)]; and Top soil + Cow Dung 2:1 [TS + CD (2:1)]. These treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications. Data were collected on plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, leaf area, dry matter, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate. Results obtained indicated that potting media influenced growth and yield of cashew seedlings significantly. Cashew seeds sown in TS+OPRB (1:1) potting medium gave seedlings with the highest dry weight (3.38g at 10 WAS and 6.28 g at 12 WAS), crop growth rate (15.06 gm/week^-1 per plant) and second highest in net assimilation rate (0.017 gm week^-1 per plant). TS+OPRB 1:1 is thereby suggested as a soilless medium for the cultivation of cashew seedlings.