Influence of irrigation and genotype on the nut production of precocious dwarf cashew

Abstract

The influence of irrigation and genotype on the nut yield of tree dwarf cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) was evaluated in a three-year trial. Three clones (CP 09, CP 76 and CP 1001) and four irrigation treatments (control - without irrigation, irrigation at one, three and five days interval) were studied. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with split-split plots and four replications, irrigation levels in plots, clones in split-plot, each one with four plants, and years of production in split-split plots. The amount of water applied in three irrigated treatments was based on information from a class A evaporation pan. Concerning cashew nut production, cashew dwarf clones did not show a differentiation as to irrigation treatments; clones CP 09 and CP 76 showed better performance than CP 1001 on stability of nut production; clone CP 76, independently of irrigation treatments used, showed less productivity than clones CP 09 and CP 1001.