Sexual Propagation of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Varieties in Bataan, Philippines is Affected by Different Combination of Growing Media

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different combinations of growing media on the different varieties of cashew grown in Bataan, Philippines. It aimed to evaluate the number of days to germination, percentage germination, seedling height, number of leaves, leaf area index, and diameter of the stem for the duration of sixty days. It is a two-factor experiment arranged in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of three Bataan cashew varieties as the Factor A and five combinations of growing media as Factor B with three replications. The experimental treatments were as follow: Factor A (Varieties of Cashew): V1-Bataan Variety 1, V2-Bataan Variety 2, V3-Bataan Variety 3; and Factor B (Soil Media): SM1-1 part garden soil, 1 part compost, 1 part sand, SM2-1 part garden soil, 1 part compost, ½ part sand, ½ part carbonized rice hull, SM3-1 part garden soil, 1 part compost, ½ part sand, ½ part coco coir dust, SM4-1 part garden soil, 1 part compost, 1 part carbonized rice hull, and SM5-1 part garden soil, 1 part compost, 1 part coco coir dust. Results revealed that Bataan Variety 1 and Bataan Variety 3 were significantly the earliest to germinate while Bataan Variety 1 significantly had the highest success percentage of 92%, highest number of leaves produced (9.81), and the highest recorded leaf area (50.26 mm2). For growing media, 1 part garden soil, 1 part compost, 1 part coco coir dust significantly had the tallest plants (30.92 cm) and the most number of leaves. Furthermore, the interaction between varieties and growing media showed no significant difference in all parameters stated. These findings will be useful for the cashew growers, producers, nursery propagators in selecting the best growing media to enhanced their sexual propagation