Some Experiments on the Storage of Cacao Seed in a Viable Condition.

Abstract

Cacao is usually propagated by means of seed, and under the right conditions this is a simple procedure. It is most important that the seed selected for planting be relatively fresh for although the viability of freshly-picked seed is good, the ability to germinate begins to fall rapidly after about ten days from the time of harvesting, under normal conditions in the tropics. This short period of viability of stored cacao seed at times is a severe handicap to the industry, for it means that some places cannot receive cacao seed from the recognized sources of seed, and that distant new areas are difficult to open up to cacao.