International Journal of Horticulture, 2016, Vol.6, No.21, 1-8
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hybrids (Figure 1; Figure 2). The parent varieties e.g., VTH 711/4, Kankady and Kalyanpur Bold Nut bore very
bold nuts. Among hybrids, D19 was shown to have very large size nuts and also recorded highest nut yield (4.34
kg/plant, 2.71 ton/ha). Besides, C30, D47, E16 and F28 also had shown bold nuts with significantly higher nut
weight (>9.0 g). Ghatge et al. (2009) evaluated thirty Fl hybrids of cashew for the variability in cashew apples and
cashew nuts. They reported very bold nuts (9.93 g) with highest shelling percentage (32.65%) in H 815. Brazilian
accessions characterized by sparsely fruiting with large nuts and kernels, while the Indian accessions were prolific
but with small–medium nuts (Aliyu and Awopetu, 2011). In general, cashew trees with jumbo nuts (>15 kg) were
significantly affected by the trade-off, as they exhibited poor flowering and fruit set, decrease in nut
number/panicle in addition to prolonged fruit development. Therefore, cashew nut varieties with very bold nuts
are usually discouraged for commercial planting. In this context, cashew cultivars with nut sizes between 9.0 and
12.0 g are reported to be better; as such trees produced enough nut/ tree to support profitable investments in
cashew farming (Aliyu and Awopetu, 2011)
Figure 1 Apple and nut characteristics of eight cashew genotypes used as parents
Apple characters (physico-chemical traits) are considered as important cashew descriptors for DUS testing.
Considerable variation was observed in mean apple weight, size, shape and colour of apples in the present set of
F1 progenies of cashew. A typical ripe cashew apple represents 90% of cashew fruit and weight between 70 and
90g (Helosia and Ricardo 2001). Moura et al. (2001) observed wide variations in nine clones of dwarf cashew in
Brazil with respect to firmness, size, shape, color, and fruit weight. Kannan and Thirumaran (2001) observed
similar results when studied four varieties of cashew apple. Ghatge et al. (2009) evaluated thirty F1 hybrids of
cashew for the variability in cashew apples and cashew nuts. In the present investigation, the cashew nut parent
VTH711/4 had highest apple weight (149.78 g) followed by Kankady (121.99 g); and both had high apple: nut
ratio. Besides, I -3 and I -20 also had shown high apple: nut ratio (>10.0). Ghatge et al. (2009) identified large size
apple (72.72 g) in H 1141 and maximum apple to nut ratio (7.82) in H 824.
Appealing yellow apple colour with high TSS fetch consumers’ preference. The test genotypes e.g., D 19, H 6, A
71, C 41, C 30, F 28 and H 8 are characterized as high yielding with yellow Apple. Red apple colour was shown
to be specific to the parents e.g., RP 1 and Vittol 44/3; and the cashew hybrid B 27. While, yellow apple with
reddish tinges was associated with high yielding cashew hybrids G8 and J12. Among the test genotypes, C30
recorded highest TSS (Brix value 17.45) of cashew apple followed by G 16(Brix value 16.70), B 5(Brix value
16.21) and A62 (Brix value 16.04); while F38 revealed lowest TSS (Brix value 9.93). In this context,
