GERMINATION AND SEED VIGOR OF UF-18 VARIETY OF CACAO (Theobroma cacao) AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT LENGTH OF POD STORAGE PLANTED WITHOUT SEED COAT

This study on the germination and seedling vigor of 18 varieties of cacao (Theobroma cacao) as affected by different lengths of pod storage planted without seed coat was conducted in Employees Village, Brgy. Fatima, General Santos City from March to April 2018. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used in this pot experiment; the five treatments replicated three times. T1- O DPS, 12 DPS T3- 5 DPS, T4- 7 DPS and T5- 9 DPS. Results of the study found that storing of cacao pods did not improve the number of days to 50% germination. However, storing cacao seeds in no time can attain faster and better germination and vigor as seen in the results of percent germination which has been significant. The effects of the treatments on the growth of the cacao seedlings in this study appeared to be not well demonstrated at 25-day growing period. It is suggested to extend the study period beyond the 25-day growing period soas to determine if the initial treatment of encouraging the growth and storing pods can further develop the seedlings.