Abstract

The propagation of cassava (Manihot esculenta) through sexual seeds rather than by clones is a noval approach due to its manifold advantages like enhancing the multiplication rate several times, keeping the dreaded cassava mosaic diseases (CMD) under check, ease of seed storage and transport. Experiments were conducted at Tapioca and Castor Research Station during the years 2001 and 2002 to find out the effect of pre-sowing seed treatment using different chemicals and botanical leaf extracts in different concentrations. True cassava seeds (H226) were subjected to soaking in water, KNO3, CaCl2 in 0.5 and 1 per cent solutions and Arappu (Albezia amara) and Pungam (Derris indica) fresh leaf extracts in 1 and 2 per cent solutions for 24 hours and compared with unsoaked seeds. The results of the data revealed that germination percentage and vigour index were maximum in seeds soaked in KNO3 1 per cent solution for 24 hours when compared to unsoaked seeds.

Keywords: Pre-sowing, Cassava, true seeds, fresh leaf extracts.