Plantation Crops

High Density Planting in Cashew

• Experiments were carried out at NRCC Puttur and in AICRP on cashew centers in different parts of the country with plant population ranging from 156 to 2500 trees per ha in order to study the effect of high density planting in cashew towards enhancing productivity Present recommendation of plant density in cashew varies from 156 plants (8 mx8m) to 200 plants per ha. Spacing for High density plantations (Depending upon agroclimatic conditions) .

• Set – I (After thinning spacing of 8m x 8 m will be maintained)

  4 m x 4 m or
  8 m x 4 m or
  7 m x 4 m or
• Set – II (After thinning spacing of 8m x 8 m or 10 m x 10m or 6 m x 8 m will be maintained)

  5 m x 5 m or
  6 m x 6 m or with a population varying from 312 to 624 plants per ha
  Poor soils are more suitable for HDP due poor canopy expansion.
  Age /period of thinning of plants: After 7 to 10 years depending on the spread of canopy.
• Spacing maintenance after thinning

  Set – I = 8 m x 8m
  Set – II 8 m x 8m or 10 mx 10 m or 6m x 8 m

Advantages of HDP
1.  Higher yield per ha during initial years ( There will be 625 tree per ha in 4 m x 4 m spacing compared to only 156 tree in 8 m x 8m spacing)
2.  Fuel wood: due to thinning of plants.
3.  Weed control.
4.  Soil conservation due to canopy coverage.

Varieties suited
Dwarf varieties with compact branches are well suited.
Eg. Anakkayam -1 and Dhana.