Growth and Yield Performance of Multi-Stock Grafted Cashew

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the performance of sexually and asexually propagated (vis. single stock, double stock and triple stock) cashew plants in terms of growth, age of trees at first fruiting, and yield.

Results showed that rapid growth of both sexually and asexually propagated plants in terms of height, girth and canopy size occurred on their 2nd 4th year of field cultivation. Flowering of grafted seedlings was observed as early as 2 years, but their fruits was aborted after 3 weeks of development. Both sexually and asexually propagated plants bear fruits after 3 years.

In terms of yield, grafted cashew had significantly higher nuts and apple yield than those grown from seedlings. There is no significant difference however, on the yield in single, double, triple rootstock plants.