Cashew production

importance of production of cashew. it includes about botany, all varities. cotains all cimatic and soil requirement of the crop. also contais different methods of propogation, cultivation ascpects and processig aspects.

1. CASHEW

2. CASHEW Scientific Name : Anacardium occidentale Family - Anacardiaceae Origin - Brazil Chromosome non - 42

3. Types of cashew There are mainly 20 species of Anacardium known to exist in C entral & South America. Some other species are A. excelsum (wild cashew), A. giganteum (medicinal cashew, caja acu ), A.spruceanum . (NRCC, 1995) But only A. occidentale is the only species available outside the world ( Nath et al ., 2009).

4. History It was introduced to India by the Portuguese in the 16 th century from brazil (de Costa, 1578). In India, cashew was first introduced in Goa from where it spread to other parts of the country. Earlier-cultivated for soil conservation

5. Commercial cultivation began in the early 1920s . From India it spread to Vietnam and other south east Asian countries. Presently cashew cultivation is present in Brazil, India, Vietnam, Indonesia tropical Asian and African countries

6. CULTIVATION IN THE WORLD COUNTRY PRODUCTION (MT)   Vietnam 1,110,800 Côte d'Ivoire 950,000   India 753,000 Nigeria 450,000   Benin 180,000 World Total 4,439,960

7. Cashew Cultivation in India India is one of the leading producers (processed) and exporters of cashews in the world Currently, India has approximately 0.97 million hectares under cashew cultivation with productivity of 770 kilograms per hectare. Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka are the primary producers of cashew along the western coast of the country.

8. Andhra Pradesh (AP), Odisha , Tamil Nadu (TN) and West Bengal (WB) are primary producers along the eastern coast. Maharashtra is ranking first in area, production and productivity in country

9. State W ise S tatistics States 2013 2014 Area Production Area Production Maharashtra 184.2 224.6 184.2 236.2 Andhra Pradesh 184.0 118.5 185.0 100.4 Odisha 163.9 100.8 116.9 85.7 Kerala 84.9 77.0 84.9 80.1

10. Export The country accounts for about 65 per cent of the world's total exports India exports kernels to more than 60 countries across the world In 2013-14, India's exports of cashew and cashew-based products were worth US$ 0.82 billion

11. NUTRIONAL STATUS Cashew kernels contain 47% fat, 21% protein and 22%carbohydrates. Oleic acid – 73.4% Protein efficiency ratio of kernel=3.2 Cashew apple is vey rich in vitamin C and ascorbic acid. Phenols and flavonols are present in apple ( Nath et al ., 2009)

12. BOTANY Cashew is a low tree with a prominent tap root system. Leaves are alternate, simple, round and pinnately veined. Inflorescence is an indeterminate panicle. Bisexual and staminate occur in same inflorescence

13. Pollinated by bees, flies and ants. Cashew fruit is kidney shaped drupaceous fruit. Weight (3to 20g), shelling % (15-20). Out of 85% pollinated flower only 4-6 grow into a fruit

14. Climate and Soil Can tolerate wide range of ecological factors. Latitude – grow up to latitudes 27 N and 28 S. Altitude- grows well below 700m MSL. Best suited to lower elevations and near coastal tracts.

15. Temperature Can survive well between 29 C to 49 It does not thrive below 20°C temperature for long period and very high temperature 39 to 42°C during the movable stage of fruit development cause fruit drop. Heavy rains and cloudy weather adversely affect the yield in cashew

16. Rainfall Requires a annual rainfall range of 600mm- 2500mm. Requires high temperature and humidity for growth. Sunshine It is a sun loving tree and therefore, does not tolerate excessive shade. It needs minimum of 6-8 hours of sunshine per day.

17. Soil It is generally grown on a waste lands of low fertility also. Being hardy plant, cashew can grow in W arkas land on top slope of the hills, red sandy loams arid light coastal sandy soils as well. It requires a well drained soil. It can be grown on almost all types of soil from sandy sea coast to laterite hill slopes upto an elevation of 700 m above sea level.

18. Best Climatic Factors Dry spell during flowering and fruit setting. No cloudy weather during flowering- less pest attack Normal temperature (32-38 C) during marble stage of fruit development is good. less drought period

19. Planting materials Propagated by seedlings, air layers, and softwood grafts Cross- pollinated crop Vegetative propagation is recommended to obtain true to type progeny Softwood grafts which give high rate of establishment and early flowering are recommended for planting

20. Propagation by seedlings Selection of mother trees Characteristics : Good health, intensive branching habit with panicles having high % of hermaphrodite flowers Trees of 15-25 years of age Bearing nuts of medium size and weight ( 5-8 g/nut ) with an average yield of 15 kg nuts per annum Bearing 7-8 nuts per panicle

21. Selection of nuts Select mother trees in February Collect seed nuts in March-April Select good, mature, medium sized nuts, which sink in water as seeds after drying in sun for 2-3 days

22. Spacing Normal density : 7mx7m to 10mx10m (depending on soil fertility) Wider spacing in fertile soil and closer spacing in less fertile soil High density planting : 4mx4m or 5mx5m or 8mx4m Season /time of planting : June-July or September – October

23. SYSTEMS OF PLANTING The square system of planting or the triangular system of planting may be adopted. Plant population at different spacing and systems of planting are given below

24. spacing Plant population / ha Square system Triangular system 10mx10m 100 116 8mx8m 156 180 7mx7m 204 234 7.5mx7.5m 177 204 4mx4m 625 720 5mx5m 400 460 8mx4m 312 360

25. Method of planting Planting is done in pits (60cmx60cmx60cm) Fill the pits with top soil to ¾ of the pit capacity and organic manure (about 10 kg ). While planting the graft union should remain 2.5 cm above the ground level Remove the polythene tape and staking should be done immediately after planting to protect the graft from wind damage

26. MANURING A n integrated approach consisting of growing leguminous green manure/ cover crops , recycling of crop residues, application of organic mixtures and bio-fertilizers is to be followed. Leaf litter and cashew apple residue could be effectively used for vermicomposting which will be ready in 95 days. Growing of leguminous cover/ green manure crops are highly beneficial in young plantations. Cover cropping prevents soil erosion and conserves water; also suppresses weed growth in early years . When organic manures are used, around 25 kg poultry manure, 60 kg FYM or 30 kg vermicompost may be used per adult tree . Apply 1/5th dose of the organic manure during the first year, 2/5th dose during second year and progressively reaching full dose from fifth year onwards .

27. Irrigation Newly planted grafts should be irrigated regularly during summer periods. Drip irrigation or pitcher irrigation is adopted. For adult plants about 200 liters of water per tree are applied at an interval of 15 days during summer months.

28. Soil and water conservation In sloppy lands pits of 60cmx60cmx60cm or trenches of 50cm width, 50cm depth and convenient length are taken in between rows (along the contour) to conserve soil and water This conserve soil and water but also enhance the growth of cashew Mulching with cashew waste is also good.

29. Weeding Manual weeding can be done within 2 m radius of the trunk. In large plantations weeding in the interspaces can be done effectively and economically using tractor-mounted rotary weed slashers . The slashed materials and weeds can be used for mulching, which reduces further infestation.

30. Intercropping Pineapple is the most profitable intercrop in cashew plantation in the early stages of growth . It can be planted between two rows of cashew in trenches opened across the slope . Paired row of pineapple suckers can be planted in each trench at 60 cm between rows and 40 cm between two suckers within the row. Ginger , lemongrass and tapioca are also suitable as intercrops and the intercrops are also grown organically.

31. VARITIES OF CASHEW VARIETY PARENTAGE YIELD (kg) NUT WT. SHELLING % BPP1 HYD No.1 X T.No 273 17 5 27.5 BPP2 HYD No.1 X T.No 273 19 4 26.0 BPP3 Clonal selection 16 6 28.0 BPP4 Clonal selection 12.5 6 23.0 BPP5 Clonal selection from T.No.1 42 5.2 24.0 BPP6 Clonal selection from T.No . 56. 42 5.2 24.0 Varieties released for cultivation in AP CASHEW RESEARCH STATION, BAPTLA

32. First varieties are released from cashew research station at A nakkayam and rest from Madakkathara VARIETY PARENTAGE YIELD (kg) NUT WT. SHELLING % Anakkayam -1 Selection from T.No 139 12 5.95 28 Sulabha selection from open pollinated var. 21.90 9.80 29.40 Mridula PTR 1-1 Madakkathara -1 selection from open pollinated var. 13.80 6.20 26.80 Madakkathara -2 selection from open pollinated var. 17.00 7.25 26.00 Priyaka Hybrid 17.03 10.80 26.57 Kanaka Hybrid 12.80 6.80 30.58 Dhana Hybrid 10.66 8.20 29.80

33. Variety Yield Bearing habit Amrutha 18.35 Mid Anagha 13.73 Mid Akshaya 11.78 Mid Damodar 13.36 Mid Raghav 14.65 Mid Poornima 14.08 Mid Sree (selection from Anakkayam-1) 23.78 Early

34. NURSERY TECHNIQUES

35. Raising seedlings Raise seedlings in polythene bags during May Use polythene bags of size 20cm x15cm and fill the bags with garden soil, leaving a gap of 1-1.5 cm above Soak seed nuts in water for 18-24 hrs to hasten germination Sow the pre-soaked seed nuts in polythene bags filled with garden soil at a depth of 2-3cm with the stalk end up Seeds germinate in 7-10 days

36. PROPAGATION BY AIR LAYERING Prepare air layers during February- March , so that they will be ready for planting in June –July Select 9-12 months old pencil thick terminal shoots Remove carefully a strip or ring of bark, 0.6- 1.2cm thick by using a sharp knife. Wind a string around the cut area and cover it with moist potting mixture and wrap round with 150- 200 gauge polythene film of size 23cm x 15cm

37. Secure loose ends of film with jute fibre When roots emerge from the ringed portion in 40-60 days, give a ‘V’ cut a lower end of treated shoot. After about 15 days, deepen the cut slightly. Pot the layers immediately after separation from tree into containers of size 15 x 15 cm made from coconut husk and keep them in shade

38. Softwood grafting Selection of nuts Seed nuts collected during peak period of harvest ( feb - march) and sun dried for 2-3 days Quality seed nuts are selected by immersing in water. Seeds which sink in water may be selected. Medium sized nuts (7-9g) selected to get vigourously growing seedlings

39. Raising rootstocks AS SIMILAR AS RISING SEEDLINGS Selection of rootstock Select 50-60 days old seedlings having single main stem grown in the centre of polythene bag as rootstock

40. Selection of scion Select 3-5 month of old non –flowering lateral shoots of current seasons growth. Selected scion should be 10-12cm long, straight, and pencil thick with brown colour having dormant plumpy terminal bud. Top 4-5 leaves should be green in colour

41. Preparation of root stock Retain two pairs of bottom leaves and remove others from the selected seedlings using a sharp knife. Give a transverse cut on the main stem , 15 cm above ground level. A cleft of 4-5 cm deep is made in the middle of the decapitated stem of the seedling by giving a longitudinal cut.

42. Preparation of scion Select a matching scion stick ( same thickness that of rootstock) Cut end of scion is shaped to a wedge of 4-5cm long by chopping the bark and wood from two opposite sides

43. Grafts are to be watered regularly using rose can or micro sprinkler. Remove new sprouts emerging from rootstock at frequent intervals. Grafts should be placed on polythene sheets spread on the ground to prevent rooting. Care in the nursery

44. Raising of rootstock seedlings, grafting of rootstocks and maintenance of grafts is done inside the polyhouse . These polyhouses give protection to seedlings and grafts during heavy rains and reduce mortality. During summer months the seedlings/ grafts can be maintained in these polyhouses by covering with HDPE shade nets(35-50% shade)

45. Older cashew plantations- criss - cross branches, dried and dead wood, water shoots etc are removed at least once in 2-3 yrs. Allows proper growth of canopy and receipt of adequate sunlight on all branches. Pruning of cashew plants done during May/June. General pruning

46. Technique recommended for enhancing the productivity of cashew plantations. Technique involves planting more number of grafts per unit area and thinning at later stages. Instead of normal planting density of 64-177 plants (spacing- 7.5 to 10 m in square system of planting), 312-625 grafts will be planted per ha(spacing 4mx 4m or 8mx4m) High density planting

47. Per tree nut yield will be more or less same as that of normal density but per ha yield is more for high density planting. Substantial quantity of firewood is obtained during thinning .

48. Plant protection Maintenance of hygiene Timely pruning can keep the tree in a hygienic manner and there by avoids the incidence of pests and diseases. Regular burning of the residues of the plantation at periodic intervals from the flushing time to harvest can systematically eliminate many of the insect pests especially that of caterpillars , thrips , leaf and plant hoppers as well as some of the bug and beetle species . They are positively attracted to light or bonfires and thus get killed .

49. Smoking Smoking the plantation is found repelling many insect species harmful to the crop. Smoking the plantation with organic wastes during flushing, flowering and fruiting phases will keep TMB infestation low. Mechanical Mechanical destruction of sluggish and congregating stages of the insect-pest are advisable.

50. Tea mosquito Most notorious pest of cashew Recurring pest Attacks tree in every season during every flushing, flowering and fruiting periods Drying of inflorescence and die back of shoots

51. Management Spray either neem oil (0.5-1%) or Pongamia oil (2%) during flushing, flowering and fruiting phases. Add teepol /soap. Repeated sprayings at fortnightly intervals may be required in specific situations such as heavy infestations or young plantations . Trees which harbour large populations of predator ants and spiders being natural enemies of TMB and other pests, can provide protection. So promote predator ant and spider colonies. To manage the TMB anthracnose complex , Bordeaux mixture (1 %) may be sprayed as prophylactic along with the control measure for TMB. The affected plant parts are to be removed.

52. Stem borer Beetle and its larvae tunnel into the tree trunk and roots. Female beetle lay eggs on the crevices of the bark of the collar region of the tree trunk Food and water translocation is affected and tree gradually dies Early stages of attack are seen from cheewed wood observed at the base of the tree Yellowing of leaves , drying of twigs, presence of holes at the base of stem with exuding sap and frass

53. Management Removal of dead and dried branches of trees, dead trees and trees at advanced stages of infestation at least once in six months help in reducing the spread of stem and root borers . Roots should not be left exposed in the field . Swab mud slurry or coal tar and kerosene (1:2) for adult trees or neem oil 5% (50 ml neem oil in 1 litre of water + 5 g of bar soap) on the tree trunk up to 1.0 m height, thrice in a year. Smearing of lime on the bark crevices . Application of wood ash (15-20 kg/tree) and common salt at the base reduces the pest infestation .

54. Anthracnose Imp. disease of cashew in Kerala. Along with tea mosquito it inflicts severe damage and yield reduction To control anthracnose and tea mosquito bug Product Dose (per litre) 50 ml neem oil Frequency Neem oil (0.5-1%) +Copper oxychloride 0.2 to 0.3% (5 ml of neem oil in 1 litre of water with 5 g of bar soap or 2 ml Teepol ) + 2g Copper oxychloride Fortnightly interval

55. Diseases affecting cashew nursery Damping off, seed rot, seedling blight and root rot are the diseases that cause serious damage in the nursery. Can be effectively managed with integrated control measures as given below . The seedling diseases could be prevented by providing proper drainage facilities in the nursery . Provide enough drainage holes on the bags used for raising seedlings . Raise seedlings in solarised potting mixture. Potting mixture has to be solarised for one month using 150 gauge transparent polythene sheets .

56. After filling the potting mixture in the polythene bag, use Trichoderm a enriched manure for potting mixture . Incorporate Mycorrhiza @ 10g/kg and PGPR mix I 5g/kg potting mixture before sowing the seeds . Remove and destroy the disease affected seedlings . Never re-use contaminated potting mixture . Provide sufficient spacing in the nursery to ward off excess humidity . Never raise cashew nurseries in heavily shaded areas.

57. Harvesting Fruits will be ready for harvest about 2 months after fertilization of flowers Ripened fruits will fall down which can be collected manually The nuts can be extracted from apple, dried in sun for about 2 days and stored temporarily till marketing

58. PROCESSING

59. Cashew oil Cashew oil is a dark yellow oil for cooking or salad dressing pressed from cashew nuts (typically broken chunks created during processing). This may be produced from a single cold pressing.

60. Cashew shell oil Cashew nutshell liquid ( CNSL ) or cashew shell oil is a natural resin found in the honeycomb structure of the cashew nutshell and is a by product of processing cashew nuts. It is a raw material of multiple uses in developing drugs, antioxidants, fungicides, etc. It is used in tropical folk medicine and for anti-termite treatment of timber. Its composition varies depending on how it is processed.

61. Alcohol In Goa, the cashew apple (the accessory fruit) is mashed, the juice is extracted and kept for fermentation for a few days. Fermented juice then undergoes a double distillation process. The resulting beverage is called feni or fenny. Feni is about 40-42% alcohol. The single-distilled version is called urrac , which is about 15% alcohol.

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