![]() ![]() When propagating by seed, you can first check viability by putting them in a jar of water. Worldwide most cashew plantings have been planted this way. Propagation of cashew is often done by seed. In areas where there are two dry seasons the trees usually flower twice in a year (Ohler, 1979). The flowers develop at the ends of the shoots. ![]() Trees normally flower at the end of the rainy season, when new shoots emerge. Only prolonged cool temperatures will damage mature trees cashew can survive temperatures of about 0° C for a short time (Ohler, 1979).Ĭashew flowering is not affected by daylength. Damage to young trees or flowers occurs below the minimum temperature of 7° C (45° F) and above the maximum of 45° C (115° F). Most of the regions where it is an economically important crop are between 15° South and 15° North (Ohler, 1979).Ĭashew thrives at temperatures up to 40° C (105 F°). Many cashew groves are intercropped with coconut or annual crops.Ĭashew can be grown from about 25° South of the equator to 25° North, although not on a commercial-scale level at the extreme latitudes. Cashew can tolerate a wide pH range and even salt injury (Coronol, 1983). They require good drainage, friable soils, low elevation (up to 1000 m or 3300 ft), rainfall of about 1000-2000 mm (40-80 in) per year, and a pronounced dry season of three to four months. In plantations, the trees should be spaced about 10-15 m (35-50 ft) apart. Cashew's advantage for the smallholder is that it will still produce a harvest, although a low one, under these unfavorable conditions. As with any crop, cashew will produce more nuts with more inputs. However, just because cashew will tolerate poor soils and low rainfall does not mean one should look for this agroclimate to grow the trees. The trees now grow wild in some places outside of their native habitat.Ĭashew is known as a "poor man's crop" and is good for smallholders because it will grow with minimal fertilityĪnd few inputs. It has an extensive root system and deep taproot, and grows well even in sandy soils with low fertility. Climate, soil & other needsĬashew flourishes in the hot, dry tropics around sea level. Cashew bark is about 9% tannin, which is used in tanning leather. The tree exudes a gum called cashawa that can be used in varnishes or in place of gum arabic. The wood from the tree is used for carpentry, firewood, and charcoal. Cashew was planted in India in order to prevent erosion on the coast (Morton, 1960). It is used for reforestation, in preventing desertification and as a roadside buffer tree. The plant produces not only the well-known nut, but also a pseudofruit known as the cashew "apple" and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) which is used for industrial and medicinal purposes. ![]() Although there are large commercial plantings of cashew, wild trees or those owned by small farmers account for 97% of cashew production (Rosengarten, 1984). India, Mozambique, and Tanzania are the three biggest exporters of cashew nuts today. Of all nuts, cashew is second only to the almond in commercial importance (Rosengarten, 1984). Cashew is an important nut crop that provides food, employment and hard currency to many in developing nations. ![]()
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