OVERVIEW OF CASHEW RESEARCH AT CRIG (Usbert)

Cashew farming: Research and Development trends

BY

CRIG CASHEW RESEARCH TEAM

Introduction

Priority Research Areas:

• development of improved planting materials

• appropriate plant production packages

• plant protection packages

• processing and by-products development

Presentation here focuses on:

• Update of Activities undertaken

• Achievement from 2003 to 2009

• Constraints

• Challenges

Update of activities undertaken

a. Development of Improved Planting Materials

Update of activities

a) Development of Improved Planting Materials

i. A survey up to 2006: 199 trees selected with yields of 7 kg and above.

ii. In 2007, additional 134 trees selected with ii. In 2007, additional 134 trees selected with the following indicators:

-Number of nuts per panicle -Nut size and shape-Presence or absence of disease -Ease of apple detachment -Yield per hectare

i. Establishment of germplasm plots

From 2004 - 2006- Mozambique: 4 acres (Bole) - Local collections: Bole, 30 & Wenchi, 20- Local collections: Bole, 30 & Wenchi, 20- Nigerian introductions: 1 acre (Bole) - Tanzania I: 1 acre, Bole and Wenchi

Establishment of germplasm plots cont’d

–Tanzania II: 25 acres Bole & Wenchi

– Brazilian dwarf: 1.6 ha Bole & Wenchi

– Brazilian common: 0.82 ha Bole & Wenchi– Brazilian common: 0.82 ha Bole & Wenchi

– Benin: 30 acres Wenchi

10 acres Bole

–Total: 152 acres: care and maintenance continued

Establishment of germplasm plots cont’d

• Measurement of growth/yield parameters is still in progress for all the germplasm (Tanzanian, Mozambique, Brazilian dwarf & common, Benin etc)etc)

• No significant differences were observed in the performance of the Brazilian dwarf and common selections at Wenchi & Bole

Table 1: Yields (kg/tree) of outstanding Benin accessions

Genotype Yield kg/tree genotype Yield kg/tree

B358 15.1 B349 12.9

B253 13.9 B296 12.8B253 13.9 B296 12.8

B658 13.8 B575 12.8

B491 13.6 B203 12.7

B223 13.5

B276 13.0

ii) Establishment and maintenance of scion banks

a. Three 1.6 ha scion bank plots have been established at Wenchi, Bole and Bunso using grafts from 40 elite trees at Wenchi.

b. Two top worked scion bank plots consisting of 150 trees each established at Bole and Wenchi.

. c. Extra 30 stumped trees grafted and under observation

iii. Establishment of G X E trial

• Obj: To select genotypes that are adapted to specific agro ecologies.

• Twenty high yielding outstanding mother • Twenty high yielding outstanding mother trees/accessions were selected to establish this trial.

• Two agro ecological zones were considered: Transitional (Wenchi) and Savannah (Bole) zones.

The way forward

• Studies on manual cashew pollinations.

• Clones from cashew populations with complementary alleles for key traits will be hybridised in various combinations to generate new clones that match the various agro-hybridised in various combinations to generate new clones that match the various agro-ecological zones.

• Development of Rootstocks that facilitate establishment and yield.

b) Development of appropriate plant b) Development of appropriate plant production packages for cashew production packages for cashew farmersfarmers

i. Development of Nutrition and Soil Fertility

Packages for CashewPackages for Cashew

ObjectiveObjective

To assess the influence of inorganic fertilizers and their application periods on the growth and yield of cashew and the economics of the practice in Ghana

• (Different rates of TSP, MOP & AS)

Fertilizer treatment

Nut yield (kg/ha)

Time of initial fertilizer application (months after transplanting)

Mean

Table 2:Effects of fertilizers and application periods on nut yield in 2008/2009

(5 years old)

0 6 12 18

T126.7 19.0 15.3 15.7 19.2

T278.3 47.0 20.7 28.2 43.5

T341.0 48.2 19.4 21.2 32.5

T428.3 30.4 16.7 16.9 23.1

Mean43.6 36.1 18.0 9.4 -

Lsd (Fertilizer, F) 9.5

Lsd (Months, M) 9.5

Lsd (F x M) 19.1

Fertilizer treatment

Nut yield (kg/ha)

Time of initial fertilizer application (months after transplanting) Mean

0 6 12 18

T1 18.9 5.5 9.6 7.5 10.4

Table 3: Effects of fertilizers and application periods on nut yield in 2007/2008 (4 years old)

T1 18.9 5.5 9.6 7.5 10.4

T2 64.9 20.4 20.1 14.0 29.8

T3 35.1 9.5 18.5 10.2 18.3

T4 24.2 5.2 13.8 5.9 12.4

Mean 35.8 10.2 15.5 9.4 -

Lsd (Fertilizer, F)5.3

Lsd (Months, M) 5.3

Lsd (F x M) 10.7

- Fertilizer application, especially T2 (62.5g AS, 62.5g TSP, 12.5g MOP/plant) & T3 (125g AS, 125g TSP, 25g MOP/plant)

promoted higher cashew nut yield.

- The application of fertilizers at transplanting (0 month) and 6 months after transplanting resulted in significantly higher cashew nut yield than application at 12 and 18 months.

ii. Development of vegetative propagation techniques

Using Cuttings

Two experiments conducted:* Effect of cutting length, leaf area and hormone application on rooting performance hormone application on rooting performance

*Effect of wood type and media on rooting performance- Trial is in progress

In addition:(i) Top worked scion bank plot established to produce scions

(iii) Cashew cuttings of length 30cm with leaf area reduced to 1/3 and dipped in Dynaroot hormone gave better rooting

(iv) Production of 10,450 cashew clones from trees with desirable traits for farmers in the Brong Ahafo and Northern regions.Brong Ahafo and Northern regions.

(v) Participated in the grafting training workshops organized for AEAs and farmers in cashew districts.

iii) Development of improved cropping systems

Intercropping promoted the growth and development of the cashew tree (Table 4 & 5).

Was economically beneficial in the first two Was economically beneficial in the first two years when yam was used (Table 4).

Maize was profitable in the second and third years (Table 5)

Table 4. Effect of cropping systems on the growth (girth and height) and canopy span of cashew and cashew first yield.

Cropping system Girtha (mm) Heighta (cm) Spanb

(cm)Cashew yield (kg/ha)

Sole cashew 37.5 125.0 316.7 70.8

Cashew + groundnut 38.4 132.9 323.1 71.0

Cashew + maize 41.9 159.1 296.5 51.8

Cashew + sorghum 38.4 146.9 343.6 55.5Cashew + sorghum 38.4 146.9 343.6 55.5

Cashew + yam 40.1 122.5 357.5 80.3

Cashew + sorghum/groundnut

41.4 139.0 364.1 74.0

Cashew + groundnut/maize 37.4 130.6 338.6 80.8

Lsd (5%) 3.13 16.65

Ns-not significant at P<0.05; a-measured at one year after intercropping; b- measured at three years after intercropping

Table 5: Economics of intercropping food crops with cashew at Bole

Cropping system Net revenue (GH¢)

2005 2006 2007

Sole cashew -52.17 -61.90 -88.00

Cashew + groundnut -56.68 -134.31 -146.71

Cashew + maize -158.06 +114.85 +238.37

Cashew + sorghum -92.28 -149.13 -295.28Cashew + sorghum -92.28 -149.13 -295.28

Cashew + yam +50.14 +458.14 -18.18

Cashew + sorghum/groundnut -92.28 -1,3.45 -164.15

Cashew + groundnut/maize -59.58 +30.21 +167.69

iv. Development of thinning and pruning strategies

Studies on developing thinning and pruning methods are on-going.

Preliminary results indicates positive Preliminary results indicates positive benefits of thinning

c. Development of plant protection packages

i. Development of appropriate weed i. Development of appropriate weed control packagescontrol packages

Studies (on station and on farmers’ farms).

On station - Slightly higher yields in glyphosate On station - Slightly higher yields in glyphosate plots (Table 6).

On farmers’ farms, chemical weed control 17.5% higher yield than manual weed control (Table 7).

Table 6: Yield of mature cashew under different weeding treatments (CRIG, Bole)

Treatments Cashew nut yield (Kg/ha).

T1 - Hoeing whole plot 2 times/year 186.00T2 - Hoeing whole plot 3 times/year 223.6

T3 - High slashing whole plot 3 times/year

225.32times/year

T4 - Whole plot application of glyphosate (1.5 l/ha) 2 times/year

281.25

T5 - Ring application of Glyphosate and high slashing, 2 times/year

221.75

P < 0.05 NS

Table 7: Yield of nuts (kg/ha) in weed control trial plots in the middle belt of Ghana (on farm).

Location:Middle belt

Chemical weed control plot

Manual weed control plot

Tain District

Brohani (Abiba Siata) 25.0 10.0

Menji (Abu Mohammed) 132.5 92.5

Nsawkaw Farm 1 (Kwasi Jarko) 17.5 23.8

Nsawkaw Farm 2 (Stephen (Addo) 30.0 75.0Nsawkaw Farm 2 (Stephen (Addo) 30.0 75.0

Wenchi District

Akrobi (K. Mensah) 217.5 135.0

Kobeda (Rose Kisiwaa) 412.5 352.5

Tromeso 172.5 150.0

Droboso (Yaw Gyan) 52.5 65.0

Wenchi (Opuni) 333.8 282.3

Mean 154.9 131.8

The major weed succession in the chemical weed control plots were Tridax procumbens, Euphorbia spp., Ageratum conyzoides which are succulent, non-aggressive and shallow rooted and a few patches of Imperata cylindrica

Generally, number of farmers out of ten spraying their farms with herbicides has increased from 5 their farms with herbicides has increased from 5 to 7:

Middle belt - (4)5

Northern belt - (1)2

Table 6: Yield of nuts (kg/ha) in weed control trial plots in the middle belt of Ghana.

Location:Middle belt

Chemical weed control plot

Manual weed control plot

Tain District

Brohani (Abiba Siata) 25.0 10.0

Menji (Abu Mohammed) 132.5 92.5

Nsawkaw Farm 1 (Kwasi Jarko) 17.5 23.8

Nsuhunu - -

Nsawkaw Farm 2 (Stephen (Addo) 30.0 75.0Nsawkaw Farm 2 (Stephen (Addo) 30.0 75.0

Wenchi District

Akrobi (K. Mensah) 217.5 135.0

Kobeda (Rose Kisiwaa) 412.5 352.5

Tromeso 172.5 150.0

Droboso (Yaw Gyan) 52.5 65.0

Wenchi (Opuni) 333.8 282.3

Mean 154.9 131.8

ii.Development of appropriate control Development of appropriate control packages for diseasespackages for diseases

Survey identified:

a. leaf blight has been identified as the most prevalent disease of cashew. The disease causes rapid killing of tissues such as leaves, flowers and stemsflowers and stems

b. Due to the widespread nature of the disease a detail study has been initiated to look at the cause(s) of the disease and its control

Objectives

- To describe the symptoms and identify the causal organisms of the blight disease(s)

- To assess the severity and effect of leaf blight on yield of cashewblight on yield of cashew

- To search for effective control measures

Development of appropriate control packages for diseases cont’d

• The following organisms have been isolated• Alternaria citri• Pestalotia spp.• Lasiodiplodia theobromae• Lasiodiplodia theobromae• Aspergillus spp.• Penicillium spp.

Development of appropriate control packages for diseases cont’d

�Severity increased from March to April and decreased thereafter to August.

�Chemical application to control the disease �Chemical application to control the disease could be done in February and March to reduce severity in April

The way forwarday forward

• Laboratory screening of fungicides for efficacy against the pathogens of the blight disease

• Field application of fungicides to control the blight disease

• Field application of fungicides to control the blight disease

c) Development of appropriate control packagesfor insect pests of major economic importance.

A survey recorded 170 insect species.80 identified to the genus/species levels:

Belonging to the following insect orders:31 Hemiptera, 60 Coleoptera,31 Hemiptera, 60 Coleoptera,31 Hymenoptera, 5 Dictyoptera, 13 Orthoptera, 17 Lepidoptera, 5 Odonata, 4 Homoptera, 3 Diptera 1 Thysanoptera.

Studies on the population distribution ofsap sucking bugs on cashew

Population of bugs, generally, peaks in Januaryand declines from April to September coincidingwith:

- the period of increasing availability of food,- low rainfall,- low rainfall,- low relative humidity- and relatively high temperatures.

It is recommended that monitoring should beintensified from September and February toforestall pest outbreaks

Helopeltis schoutedeni and their damage

Anoplocnemis curvipes and their damage

Pseudotheraptus devastans and their damage

Apate terebrans (stem borer) and its damage

Analeptes trifasciata (the branch girdler) cutting a branch of cashew

Experiments on Control strategies

a) Chemical

insecticides, Karate, and Cyperdim ( 4 and 3.5 ml /litre of water/ tree, respectively). Cyperdim more preferred due to its longer persistence.

b) Biologicalb) BiologicalUse of the ant, Oecophylla longinodacontrolled H. schoutedeni and other sucking bugs during field trials.

O. longinoda can be successfully transferred and established on cashew trees. January and August (low rainfall) best month for transfer

O. longinoda workers on cashew fruit

Control of the stem borer, Apate telebranson cashew

Experiments on Gastoxin and wood plugging

� To control the borer, A. telebrans, Gastoxin, which caused 100% mortality in all farms 15 and 30 days after treatment, was found most effective. 30 days after treatment, was found most effective.

�The wood plugging treatment also had high borer mortality (75 – 100%) 30 days after treatment but was not effective within 15 days after treatment.

�Search for other control measures in progress.

Some chemical insecticides and application methods for stem borer control under investigation.

Three chemical insecticides� Acowood (Imidacloprid) � Perfikat (Dimethoate)� Perfikat (Dimethoate)� Bye bye (Amitraz)

Three application methods� stem injection� stem painting � stem spraying

Studies on the population dynamics of the stem borer, Apate telebrans Pall. and its control

ObjectivesObjectives

i. To determine the temporal and spatial distribution of A. telebrans on cashew in Ghana.

ii. To evaluate some insecticides for the control of the pest

�Spatial distribution of A. telebrans in cashew

• The spatial distribution study in 33 major cashew growing locations randomly selected along motorable roads within 11 districts

- Northern (Bole district)- Northern (Bole district)- Upper West (Jirapa and Nadowli districts)- Brong-Ahafo (Jaman north, Jaman south, Nkoranza, Kintampo,Tain and Wenchi districts)- Ashanti (Ejura district) and- Eastern (Akwapim district) (Fig. 1)

Akwapim

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Spatial distribution of Spatial distribution of A. telebransA. telebrans in in cashew cont’dcashew cont’d

• Borers was prevalent in all the selected cashew growing districts doing some cashew growing districts doing some substantial damage to the trees with peaks of pest infestation occurring from March to May.

d. Cashew processing and by-product development

i. Cashew Apple Processing

a) Cashew Juice and Jam� Astringency in cashew fruit juice can be removed with the addition of removed with the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) at a rate 1.4g per a litre of juice.

Economic analysis showed that juice and jam produced from cashew apples can provide an acceptable level of additional income to the local women (Table 8).

Table 8: Estimated production cost and revenue obtained from products

Product Qty produced

Est. prod. Cost (¢)

Sell price (¢) Rev. obtained (¢)

Cashew juice

240 l 2,100,000 4,000/250 ml 3,840,000

Cashew jam

342 kg 3,800,000 12,000/500g 7,796,000

d. Cashew processing and by-product development

i. Alcohol (Gin & Brandy)

Juice from unwholesome apples was uesd to produce 45% alcoholic which was fractionally produce 45% alcoholic which was fractionally distillated to obtain 90% alcohol which was then blended into gin and brandy.

ii. Wine and vinegar developmentii. Wine and vinegar developmentWine and vinegar development was initiated

d. Cashew processing and by-product development cont’d

ii. Wine and vinegar developmentii. Wine and vinegar developmentMonitoring of the wine development process Monitoring of the wine development process from the juice was continuedfrom the juice was continued

The maximum alcohol content has been The maximum alcohol content has been achieved. achieved.

––The maturation of the wine, involving the The maturation of the wine, involving the development of the esters responsible for development of the esters responsible for the good aroma has been monitored for one the good aroma has been monitored for one year.year.

Wine and vinegar development cont’dWine and vinegar development cont’d

•• Wine is ready for pasteurizing and final Wine is ready for pasteurizing and final bottling.bottling.

Half of the wine at one stage was channeled into Half of the wine at one stage was channeled into vinegar production. Since the process of vinegar production. Since the process of vinegar production. Since the process of vinegar production. Since the process of conversion of the alcohol into vinegar is being conversion of the alcohol into vinegar is being done through natural means, the process will done through natural means, the process will be monitored over the next year for completion be monitored over the next year for completion of the process.of the process.

iii. Extraction of Cashew nut shell Liquid (CNSL)

Average yield of liquid after extraction was 30%.

Used in termite control in wood preservation and fungal and insect control experiments

Used in termite control in wood preservation and fungal and insect control experiments

� Very good wood protector

Length of protection offered from the oil in the case of the wood preservation is still under investigation.

iv.Cashew Nut shell liquid applicationiv.Cashew Nut shell liquid application

•• Attempts were made at saponifying the Attempts were made at saponifying the CNSL. Formulations in water of this CNSL. Formulations in water of this saponified product were tested against mirids saponified product were tested against mirids for control and found to be very effective. for control and found to be very effective. It’s effect on the cocoa leaves is yet to be It’s effect on the cocoa leaves is yet to be tested tested

•• Also the effect of the CNSL was tested on Also the effect of the CNSL was tested on termites in the laboratory and on blocks in termites in the laboratory and on blocks in the field for six months (Fig. 2)the field for six months (Fig. 2)

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Fig. 2: A graph showing wood decay with time after treatment with Fig. 2: A graph showing wood decay with time after treatment with CNSLCNSL

BLOCKS TREATED WITH CNSL AFTER 6 MONTHS IN THE FIELD

UNTREATED BLOCKS SHOWING VISIBLE TERMITE DAMAGE AFTER8 WEEKS

v. Development of dried cashew pulp for animal feed

� Trial with cows initiated 2004 & ran for 2 yrs

� Beneficial to supplement cows during the dry season.dry season.

� Dried cashew pulp may form up to 25% of the feed.

� Study being extended to pigs (rehabilitation of piggery in progress)

vi. Production of Briquette from Cashew nut shell.

A small hand operated briquette molding machine was designed and constructed with assistance from the ITTC unit in Koforidua.

Simple carbonizing technology was Simple carbonizing technology was developed to convert the raw shell into a charred powder.

Various ratios of binding material (Cassava starch: 8%) were tried and some good charcoal briquettes made as shown below.

SAMPLES OF MOLDED BRIQUETTE

vii. Development of chocolate pebbles using cashew gum as a coating

• Physico-chemical analysis:• Physico-chemical analysis:high mineral contents just as in the apples.

Parameter Gum Arabic Cashew gum

pHAsh (%)MC “Solubility in water

4.0-4.82.7-4.012-17+

3.8-4.20.5-1.09.8-13.2+

Table 15 Comparative properties of cashew gum and gumarabica

Solubility in waterSugars

+trace

+0.96- 2.10mg/g

Rheological properties of cashew gum:

- average viscosity 1% - cashew gum solution at 25 oC was 10.03

cPs compared with 5 cPs of gum cPs compared with 5 cPs of gum Arabic.

An indication of better quality than gum Arabic.

Achievements (In summary)

a. 61 ha germplasm plots established.

b. 5 Scion banks with high yielding materials established.

c. Softwood grafting developed for a large scale c. Softwood grafting developed for a large scale application.

d. Adaptation of top-working technique for upgrading of unproductive cashew farms.

e. Growth enhancing effects of fertilizers on cashew seedlings in Ghana has been established.

Achievements cont’d

f. The optimum age for transplanting cashew has been determined to be 1.5 to 2.5 months

• g. The beneficial effect of food crop • g. The beneficial effect of food crop intercropping established.

• h. Weed control with the herbicide, Glyphosate, at 1.5-2l/ha has identified as a suitable alternative to manual weed control in cashew.

i. Cyperdim or Cypermethoate Super EC at rate of 35mls per 11litres of water, and karate at rate of 40mls (chemical insecticides) found to be very effective in the control of major pests of cashew

J. O. longinoda (a bio control agent) can control sap-sucking pests of cashew sap-sucking pests of cashew

k. Gastoxin- effective against stem borers

l. Cowpea, Okra, Cassava identified as unsuitable intercrops since it harbours pests.

Achievement cont’dm. Alternaria citri, Pestalotia spp. Lasiodiplodia

theobromae, Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp.have been identified to be associated with leaf blight diseases of cashew in Ghana.

n. Gummosis on cashew has also identified in the country.country.

o. Non-traditional products such as jams, marmalade and fresh juice have been developed and found to be shelf stable.

p. Gum found to be suitable for coating chocolate pebbles

q. Nuts from trees selected from germplasm collection found to be of good quality.

r. It has been established that dried cashew pulp can form up to 25% of the supplementary feed for cattle in the dry season.season.

s. CNSL as wood preservator demonstrated

t. Briquttes developed from cashew nut shell.

u. Cashew wine and vinegar developed

Constraints

-Inadequate transport for execution of planned activities

- Lack of co-operation of /and incentives to some farmers. some farmers.

- Erratic rainfall sometimes affected the establishment of trial plots.

Challenges

Bush fires

Availability of funding beyond project period for research long term research activities.

Inadequate marketing avenues for cashew nuts (farmers commitment in on-farm trials)

OVERVIEW OF CASHEW RESEARCH AT CRIG (Usbert)

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