Prospects Of Cashew Cultivation Under Changing Climatic Conditions

Abstract ................................................................................................... 86 6.1 Introduction .................................................................................... 86 6.2 Climatic Suitability of Cashew Cultivation ................................... 88 6.3 Impact of Climate Change on Cashew ........................................... 91 6.4 Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies to Minimize the

Adverse Effects of Climate Change ............................................. 100 6.5 Future Researchable Issues .......................................................... 102 Keywords .............................................................................................. 103 References ............................................................................................. 103

ABSTRACT

Cashew is usually grown as a rainfed crop in ecologically sensitive areas such as coastal belts, hilly areas and areas with high rainfall and humidity, andhence its performance mainly depends on climate. Studies on suitability of cashew cultivation in India using GIS showed that cashew grows at an elevation ranging from 0 to 1000 m above MSL. However, the productivity is the highest up to the altitude of 750 m above MSL. The average annual rainfall distribution in cashew areas ranges from low rainfall (300-600 mm in Gujarat) to high rainfall (2700-3000 mm in west coast and NEH region) but the productivity is highest in regions with a mean annual rainfall distribution of 600-1500 mm. The productivity of cashew is higher in regions where the minimum temperature ranges from 10 to 22C and is lower in regions where the minimum temperature drops below 10 °C. Unseasonal rains and heavy dew during flowering and fruiting periods are the major factors which adversely affect the nut yield. Heavy rains at the time of harvesting affects yield and quality of nuts. Cloudy conditions, high RH and heavy dewfall are favorable for outbreak of insect pests and diseases. To circumvent losses due to climate variability/ change, adaptation and mitigation strategies are essential in affected areas. Some of the adaptation strategies include plant architecture, use of efficient technologies like drip irrigation, soil and moisture conservations measures, fertilizer management through fertigation, green manuring/intercropping, increase in input efficiency, pre and postharvest management of economic produce cannot only minimize the losses but also increase the positive impacts of climate change. The flowering, fruiting, insect pest incidence in cashew crop, yield and quality of cashew nut and kernels are more vulnerable attributes for climate change. The sea water level rise due to the melting of glaciers as a result of increase in temperature may also pose problem for cashew cultivation since large proportion of cashew plantations exist in Eastern and Western Coastal regions of India. The perennial cashew crop has potential for carbon sequestration for mitigation of climate change.