Influence of cashew apple utilization on soil nutrient replenishment and performance of cashew seedlings

Abstract

Sustainable soil nutrient management has been a current focus on different crop cultivation including cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.). Scarce availability of manure and high cost of inorganic fertilizers, triggered evaluation of cashew apple on soil fertility and performance of cashew. Cashew seeds were sown into soiled polythene bags incorporated with fresh, decayed, and fermented juicy of cashew apple at 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 Kg/Kg Soil with 0.005 KgDAP and untreated as controls in screenhouse at TARI-Naliendele from 2019 to 2022. Findings revealed that fermented juicy and decayed apple at 0.25 Kg/Kg soil influenced 60–70% seed germination analogous with diammonium phosphate (DAP) and untreated (80–90%). About 1.0 Kg/Kg soil of decayed and fermented juicy exhibited higher plant height (70 cm), wider canopy spread (36.4 cm), and huge stem girth (2.6 cm) compared to others. Also, decayed apple had high number of branches and medium tap root with numerous lateral roots. High ground cover area (1011.5 cm2), leaf area (LA) (123.5 cm2), and canopy to girth ratio (14.5) were displayed with decayed and fermented juicy at 1.0 Kg/Kg Soil. On biomass yield, decayed and juicy had succulent fresh weight and high dry weight outperforming other treatments. Furthermore, decayed and fermented juicy exhibited high available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at 1.0 Kg/Kg Soil after 196 d of application. Fresh apple at all rates showed high soil moisture content and temperature. Therefore, this new research suggests the application of decayed cashew apple at 1.0 Kg/Kg soil as organo-fertilizers for replenishing soil nutrient and improving growth and development of cashew.