GERMINATION AND SEED VIGOR OF UF18 CACAO (Theobroma cacao) PLANTED WITH MUCILAGE AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT OF POD STORAGE

This study was conducted to evaluate the germination and seed vigor of cacao as affected by different length of pod storage which was planted with mucilage. The objectives were to evaluate the influence of pod storage to the germination and seed . vigor of cacao and to determine the maximum storage period in which pods can be stored for maximum viability. This study was carried out ina Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments and three replications. The experimental treatments were consisted of T1 - O days after harvest, T2 - 3 days after harvest, T3 - 5 days after harvest, T4 - 7 days after harvest and TS - 9 days after harvest. The results generated from this experiment were in respect to the effect of the · longevity of pod storage. The effects were pronounced in three parameters, namely; the number of days to 50% germination, percent seedling height. up to 15 days and the final seedling height Overall the statistical analysis revealed that the length of pod storage have no . sìgnificant effect on the number of days to germination, percent germination and ~efinal height ofthe seedlings. Howeever, despite being stored, the cacao seeds were still .able to germinate when planted until 9 days after harvesting .