Effect of Supplementary Irrigation with Reference to Growth and Yield of Cashew under South Konkan Region of Maharashtra

Abstract

A field trial was conducted at Regional Fruit Research Station, Vengurle, Dist. Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) with an objective to study the effect of post monsoon irrigation on flowering, fruiting and yield of cashewnut. (Anacardium occidentale L.) under South Konkan region of Maharashtra under AICRP-Cashew programme during the year 2014-15 and 2015-16. The experiment was laid out with 5 treatments viz., Irrigation at 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% CPE and control, under Randomized Block Design with four replications through drip irrigation methods daily from January to April. The quantity of water required in liter tree^-1 day^-1 and month-wise as per treatment was calculated on the basis of daily evaporation averages of 5 years. The recommended package of practices was simultaneously followed including the plant protection schedule. The various flowering, fruiting and yield parameters were recorded at appropriate stages during both the years. Among the different irrigation levels investigated, application of drip irrigation at 80% CPE (T₅) recorded significantly the highest number of flowering panicles (20.11 m^-2), number of nuts per panicle (6.8), nut weight (9.9 g), apple weight (81.0 g) and nut yield of 10.54 kg tree^-1 and it also increased the nut yield by 91.6 % over control. While, the lowest yield 5.50 kg tree^-1 was recorded in control (No irrigation).