Recalcitrant seed conservation of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) by desiccation and invigoration

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of desiccation and invigoration on viability of cacao seed during conservation period. The study consisted of three experiments. 1) Effect of desiccation on seed viability (physiological indication) and membrane leakage, free fatty acid, peroxidation value, isoenzyme peroxidase, esterase, acid phosphatase (biochemical indication), 2) Status of cellular damage on cacao seed due to desiccation, 3) Effect of desiccation and invigoration on respiration rate and seed viability.