Effect of plant bio regulators on fruit set and yield of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) cv. BPP-9

Abstract

The present investigation on the effect of plant bioregulators on fruit set and yield of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) cv. BPP-9 was conducted at the Horticultural Research Station (HRS), Aswaraopet, SKLTGHU, Telangana. The experiment carried out during July 2023 to May 2024 with a factorial concept of three replications per treatment. The parameters recorded were fruits per panicle, percentage of fruit set, number of nuts reached maturity per square meter, nut weight (g), nut count per and nut yield per tree (kg).first factor consist of vegetative bud break and flower induction bio-regulators, Ethrel @ 50 ppm was recorded the maximum fruits per panicle (at 715 phenophase) (12.71), fruit set percentage (10.02%), number of nuts reached maturity per square meter (at 815 phenophase) (53.30), nut weight (7.78 g), nut count per tree (1368.63) and nut yield per tree (9.70 kg). The second factor consist fruit set and nut growth-promoting bioregulators, the combination of ZnSO4 at 0.5% + Borax at 0.15% was recorded the maximum number of fruits per panicle (at 715 phenophase) (12.34), percentage of fruit set (10.10%), number of nuts reached maturity per square meter (at 815 phenophase) (44.29), nut weight (8.00 g), nut count per tree (1339.36) and nut yield per tree (8.89 kg). The interaction effect of factors, Ethrel @ 50 ppm with ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + Borax @ 0.15% was recorded the maximum the number of fruits per panicle (at 715 phenophase) (16.43), percentage of fruit set (12.97%), number of nuts reached maturity per square meter (at 815 phenophase) (82.60), nut weight (8.25 g), nut count per tree (1640.51) and nut yield per tree (12.64 kg).