Agro-Climatic Requirements and High-Yielding Varieties
Cashew is a hardy tropical evergreen tree adapted to well-drained red laterite, sandy loam, and coastal coastal soils with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.5. It thrives in frost-free regions with temperatures between 20 and 36 degrees Celsius and rainfall exceeding 1,000 mm annually.
The Directorate of Cashew Research (ICAR-DCR) and state agricultural universities have released high-yielding clonal varieties developed through softwood grafting, which yield significantly earlier and produce superior nut grades compared to seed-grown trees.
- Top varieties: Vengurla-4, Vengurla-7, Bhaskara, Ullal-3, Madakkathara-2, and Priyanka
- Planting material: Softwood grafted saplings from accredited commercial nurseries
- Soil suitability: Deep, well-drained laterite and sandy soils; avoid heavy waterlogged clays
- Major producing states: Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu
Planting Geometry, Pruning, and Canopy Architecture
Standard square planting is spaced at 7.5 meters by 7.5 meters (175 trees per hectare), while high-density planting models utilize 4 meters by 4 meters spacing (625 trees per hectare) during early bearing years.
Formative training in the first 2-3 years establishes a single stem up to 75-100 cm height before allowing lateral scaffold branches. Annual post-harvest de-shooting and pruning of crisscross branches maintain adequate sunlight penetration into the inner canopy.
- Pit preparation: 1 m x 1 m x 1 m pits filled with topsoil, FYM, and rock phosphate
- Planting season: Onset of the monsoon season (June to August) for root establishment
- Formative pruning: Maintain a clean central trunk up to 1 meter above ground level
- High-density management: Canopy pruning after harvest to avoid tree overlap and shading
Pest Management and Post-Harvest Processing
The most destructive pest of cashew is the Tea Mosquito Bug (*Helopeltis antonii*), which attacks tender flushes, panicles, and developing apples, causing necrotic lesions and dieback.
Another major threat is the Cashew Stem and Root Borer (CSRB - *Plocaederus ferrugineus*), which requires early stem chisel extraction and prophylactic bark swabbing. Harvest fallen mature apples naturally, separate nuts carefully, and sun-dry to 8-9 percent moisture for storage.
- Tea Mosquito Bug: Timely foliar sprays during flushing, flowering, and nut development
- Cashew Stem Borer: Regular tree collar inspections and curative borer grub extraction
- Nut harvesting: Collect naturally fallen mature cashew apples; avoid picking immature nuts
- Sun drying: Dry freshly separated raw nuts under direct sun for 2 to 3 days before storage
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Directorate of Cashew Research (ICAR-DCR) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
Why are softwood grafted cashew plants preferred over seed-propagated plants?
Softwood grafts preserve true-to-type genetic yield, produce uniform large nuts, and commence commercial bearing by the 3rd year, whereas seedlings take 5 to 7 years and show unpredictable variability.
What is the primary insect pest affecting cashew flowering in India?
The Tea Mosquito Bug (*Helopeltis antonii*) is the most destructive pest, causing blossom blight, flush drying, and severe fruit drop if left unmanaged.
What moisture level is ideal for storing raw cashew nuts?
Raw cashew nuts should be sun-dried to a moisture content of 8 to 9 percent to prevent internal mold development and preserve kernel quality during storage.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Seeds, Crops & Cultivation guides
Ask Sakhi AI in your language, check live mandi prices or plan a loan with KisanPe tools.