Genotypic-environmental effects on nut picking duration, yield and quality of seven cashew (anacardium occidentale l.) clones in South-Eastern Tanzania
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Date
2019
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
An experiment was conducted in 2007/08 season at Naliendele, Nyangao and
Nanyanga sites in South-Eastern Tanzania, to determine genotypic-environmental
effects on nut picking duration, yield and quality of seven cashew (Anacardium
occidentals L.) clones. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete
Block Design, with two factors arranged in split plot experiment; in which locations
were the main-plot while clones replicated four times were the sub-plot treatments.
Cutting-test carried out at NARI was used to determine nut physical quality.
Nutritional values in the cashew kernels were evaluated at SUA, where fats and
protein were analysed in DASP laboratory using Soxhlet Continuous Extraction and
Kjeldalh methods, respectively. Minerals were analysed in soil science laboratory,
where U-Visible Spectrometer was used to determine phosphorus content while
atomic absorption spectrum was used to measure the quantities of calcium,
magnesium, iron, zinc and copper. Flame photometer was used to measure
potassium and sodium contents. Significant variations (P < 0.05) among clones were
observed in all parameters studied. Clone AZA 17 consistently had the shortest nut
picking duration in all sites, with an overall mean of 47 days. Cashew clone AC4
showed early crop maturity at Naliendele and Nanyanga, while clone AC4/285
matured early at Nyangao. The highest yield (3512.2 kg/ha) across the locations was
produced by the clone AC4/285. Naliendele was considered most suitable site for
cashew nut production because it gave the highest overall mean cashew nut yield
(3530.0 kg/ha). Clone AC10 outperformed in nut weight (9.3 g), fat and protein
contents. On the other hand, clone ACM was superior in mineral composition across
the locations. This study also revealed that, high nut yielding clones are poor iniii
nutrient contents. High yielding clones with short nut picking duration and early
maturity characteristic were found to be important selection criteria for economical
cashew nut production.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Genotypic-environmental effects, Determine nut physical quality, Nut picking duration, South-Eastern Tanzania