Impact of foliar application of primary nutrients on growth and yield contributing traits in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Abstract

Aim: To find suitable fertilizer and concentration for foliar application in cashew to improve fruit retention, nut yield and leaf nutrient content in South Chhattisgarh region. Methodology: An on-farm trial were conducted consecutively for three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 to study the response of cashew trees to foliar application of major nutrients with respect to growth and yield attributes. The fertilizers selected for foliar application were NPK (19-19-19), Urea, NPK (13-0-45) and NPK (12-32-16) at 1 and 2 % along with non-sprayed trees as control. All the treatments were imposed in three replications under RBD design. The age of selected trees was 15 years. Results: Foliar spray of 2% Urea before the vegetative flush, after the vegetative flush and nut set stage gave significantly higher mean number of flowering panicles m-2, number of nuts at pea nut and marble stage, high fruit retention, more number of nuts per panicle, nut yield per tree, weight of 100 nuts and maximum leaf nutrient content at flowering and harvesting stages. Interpretation: Foliar application of fertilizers with primary nutrients lead to significant improvement in flowering, fruit set and leaf nutrient content, which may influence nut yield in cashew.