Genetic variability and trait association studies in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Assessment of Juvenile Growth and Yield Relationship Among Dwarf Cashew Types in Ghana

“…Attempts made in assessing the relationship between early vegetative growth traits (girth, height, canopy span) and nut yield indicated positive correlations with varied magnitude of associations although, not significant. Similar observations were reported in trait association studies by Adu-Gyamfi et al (2019) who highlighted a weak association between trunk cross-sectional area and yield in cashew clones evaluated in the Guinea savanna environment. The results implied that selection based on these secondary traits to complement nut yield may not be effective using this set of accessions.…”

“…Obvious differences were noticed in the pattern and magnitude of girth increment after eighteen months across locations with the accessions in Wenchi relatively outgrowing that of Bole. This observation agrees in part with assertion that Wenchi environment is more favorable for cashew growth (Adu-Gyamfi et al, 2019). Differences in growth pattern and magnitude observed during the latter stage of the experiment reflects the relative sensitivity of genotypes to environmental effects, eighteen months after planting which implies that investigation on genotype by environment interactions (G×E) in cashew could commence after 18 months of planting in the field.…”

“…The average girth increment (trunk size) among the accessions across 30 months revealed an initial slow growth (six to eighteen months) for all accessions planted in Wenchi compared to counterparts in Bole. This observation was quite unusual as environmental conditions in Wenchi have been reported as more conducive for cashew growth compared to Bole (Adu-Gyamfi et al, 2019). Despite the initial lag in Wenchi the growth trend for all accessions across locations within the first eighteen months were relatively similar and consistent with observations by Adewale et al (2013) who reported trend analysis of cashew growth parameters and concluded that no differences exist in stem circumference expansion among cashew varieties during the juvenile growth phase.…”

“…According to Austin (1993), yield is the best measure of integrated performance, profitability and overall adaptation provided it is estimated over several years. The fairly high yields recorded in Wenchi over Bole may be attributed to a probable adaptation of the accessions to a relatively favorable agro-ecology as reported in previous studies by Adu-Gyamfi et al (2019). Such observation was not uncommon, as nut yield depends very much on several factors which included genotype, environment and a complex of genotype × environment factors (Magari & Kang, 1993;Basford & Cooper, 1998).…”

“…Data were collected on stem growth (mm), plant height (m), canopy spread (canopy span) (m 2 ) and nut yield (kg/ha) as previously described by Adu-Gyamfi et al (2019). Stem growth (stem diameter) was measured using electronic calipers at 10 cm above-ground surface at six monthly intervals after transplanting.…”