K.M. YUVARAJ*, M.L.N. REDDY AND K. UMAMAHESWARA RAO

All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Cashew, Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University,Cashew Research Station, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted at AICRP on Cashew, Cashew Research station, Dr. YSR Horticultural University Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh during 2002-15, to evaluate the performance of different new entries of cashew genotypes developed at different centers for their sustainability/adaptability. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and ten genotypes and local check (BPP-8). In each treatment, four plants were accommodated with a spacing of 7.5 × 7.5 m. The results revealed that local check variety BPP-8 performed better over the other genotypes during the period of study. The variety BPP-8 recorded maximum vegetative growth parameters such as canopy height, canopy spread and canopy surface area (4.35 m, 9.19 m and 91.63 m2). However plant height and trunk girth was found maximum in genotype H-32/4 (4.71 m and 98.53 m2) followed by BPP-8 (4.50 m and 85.66 m2). The variety BPP-8 recorded a mean maximum annual nut yield per tree (8.16 kg tree-1) and maximum mean cumulative nut yield (54.32 kg tree-1) for eight annual harvests. The variety BPP-8 have been identified as suitable variety for rainfed cultivation in coastal area of Andhra Pradesh.

KEYWORDS:

High Yielding Varieties (HYV), Genotypes, F1 hybrids, Vegetative growth, Nut yield, Cashew kernel.