Vol. 11, Issue 10 (2022)

Author(s):
K Sethi, S Sahoo, M Dash, R Kumari, PK Panda, Mohanna GS and TN Raviprasad

Abstract:
The present investigation entitled “Evaluation of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Germplasm based on morpho-economic traits” was carried out during the year 2020-2021 at Cashew Research Station (CRS), Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The experiment was laid out during the year 2003 following the statistical design RBD (Randomized Block Design) using thirty five cashew germplasm as treatment and each germplasm were replicated twice. All standard management practices were followed to raise a healthy crop. These thirty five germplasm were evaluated for various morpho-economic traits. Evaluation results revealed that plant height varied from minimum 3.05m in genotype RP-5 to maximum 6.05 m in genotype V-2. The genotype, H2/16 recorded maximum spread 6.85m in East-West direction and mean annual nut yield (6.71 kg plant^-1) among the evaluated germplasm. Nut weight (14.83 g), apple weight (144.0 g) and shelling % (30.5) were recorded maximum in genotype RP-5. Number of flowering laterals was recorded maximum in genotype H-68 (23.0) while sex ratio was recorded maximum in genotype, BPP-30/1(0.36). Nuts planicl^-1 were counted maximum (10.0) in Anacardium microcarpum. Genotype, BH-105 recorded maximum nuts m^-2(36.99). The phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variance recorded minimum for shelling (4.14 & 3.33) % and maximum for sex ratio (81.96 & 43.53). Genetic advance as percent of population mean also recorded similar result. The heritability estimates ranged from 28.36% in sex ratio to 98.40% in nut weight. High heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance were observed for all the characters except for plant height, trunk girth, can opy spread (East-West), canopy spread (North-South), ground coverage by canopy and shelling %. Nut yield plant^-1 had positive significant correlation with plant height (0.360) and canopy spread in East-West direction (0.424) while negative significant association with apple weight (0.389) both at phenotypic and genotypic level. Thus utilizing this findings, breeding programme can be formulated for development of high yielding or hybrid varieties of cashew which in turn will be helpful for increasing the production and productivity of the crop as a whole.