An experiment was conducted to investigate the combined effect of seed size and sowing depth on emergence and early growth of cashew Anacardium occidentale (L) seeds in organic and inorganic fertilizer in Gidan Waya, Kaduna State, Southern Guinea Savanna between April and July, 2010. The objectives are to determine the best seed size for vigorous seedlings development, the depth at which the seeds should be planted for fast emergence and early growth as well as the fertilizer medium that is best for vigorous emergence and growth. The seed sizes were; 0.9cm3, 1.5cm3 and 2.2cm3, the sowing depths were; 3cm, 5cm and 10cm and the two fertilizer types were; organic, cow dung and inorganic fertilizer, N.P.K- 15:15:15 respectively. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design (CRBD) with 18 treatments, replicated three times. Small seed and 5cm sowing depth with cow dung (F1D2S1) recorded significantly highest values on days to emergence (26 days), while small seed and 10cm sowing depth with N.P.K fertilizer (F2D3S1) recorded lowest number of days to emerge at about 10 days. Combined effect on height of plant, number of leaves and girth of stem per plant showed statistically insignificant variation among combinations with some general significance along weeks after emergence (WAE), while on leaf area per plant at 12WAE, large seed and 10cm sowing depth with cow dung fertilizer (F2D3S3) showed significant statistical difference with the largest leaf area, while small seed and 10cm sowing depth with N.P.K fertilizer (F2D3S1) recorded the smallest leaf area in the treatment combination.
Key words: Seed Sizes, Sowing Depths, Fertilizer Types, Cashew
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