Morphological Characterization of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Fruits at the Western Philippines University (WPU) Cashew Plantation

Abstract

The cashew plantation of Western Philippines University (WPU) started in 1975. Preliminary characterization of the cashew fruit was conducted based on the International Board of Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) Descriptors for Cashew to assess the extent of genetic diversity present within the collection.

The results of the preliminary morphological characterization of 21 cashew fruit trees present in the WPU cashew plantation were presented in a dendrogram. Results revealed that the morphological characterization of the 21 cashew fruit trees differed in terms of apple weight, length, width, shape, color and total amount of soluble solids as well as in the nut and kernel dimensions.