ISHS Acta Horticulturae 108: International Cashew Symposium
GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF CASHEW IN KERALA |
| Authors: | V.K. DAMODARAN, P.G. VEERARAGHAVAN |
| Abstract:
In order to improve the genetic stock, selection and breeding were undertaken at the Cashew Research Station, Anakkayam and Mannuthy. The programme involved (i) Identification of superior genotypes in the existing population (ii) Evolution of better varieties by hybridization and selection in the F1 and (iii) Multiplication of the selected types by an effective method of vegetative propagation. Development of mono-clonal and polyclonal seed orchards of the selected types is also in progress to overcome the limitations of vegetative propagation methods. Based on the economic characters, 16 types including a few hybrids which have given a mean yield of over 10 kg of nuts from the sixth to tenth year of orchard life have been selected. Four of these are now under pre-release multiplication. Evaluation of the F1 populations of the four crosses made in 1963 indicated that more number of productive hybrids were derived from the crosses in which one of the parents was exotic as compared to the progenies of crosses in which both the parents were indigenous. | |
