Assessment and Correlation Studies on Influence of Foliar Nutrient Management on Yield Attributing Traits and Physico-chemical Parameters of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) on Cv. Balabhadra

Abstract

Background: Cashew being a hardy crop is able to thrive and produce yield under low nutrient management practices yet suffers low productivity as the yield potential of plant is not expressed. Persistence of low productivity of cashew in Odisha is due to inconsequence of old senile plantation of seedling origin under unfertile, marginal lands as well as no proper adaptation of scientific nutrient management practices. Methods: Present investigation was carried out at All India Coordinated Research Project on Cashew, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during 2021-2022 and 2022-23 to evaluate the effect of nutrient management practices on yield attributing traits and physico-chemical properties of cashew cv. Balabhadra in randomized block design with six treatments and four replications. Result: Treatment schedule i.e., 100% RDF+10 kg FYM/plant/year+ Foliar spray of major nutrients (3% urea+0.5% MAP+1% K2SO4)+ Foliar spray of secondary and micro-nutrients (0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.1% Solubor + 0.5% MgSO4) witnessed better performance of cashew for most of the yield attributing traits and biochemical properties of cashew under study. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed positive association of yield relevant traits (P less than 0.001) and negative correlation for apple length and TSS of cashew apple.