Evaluation of elite cashew hybrids developed in 1998 under the agro-ecological conditions of Nachingwea in Southern Tanzania

Performance of the cashew hybrids developed in the 1990s found to be potential in terms of yield and nut quality compared to varieties released for commercialization in Tanzania. Based on these results, breeders in Tanzania directed their efforts toward improving nut quality to cope with modern cashew processing machines, which require medium to large nuts. In 1998, fifty eight (58) crosses were developed involving a number of parents with contrasting but useful traits. These hybrids were evaluated at Naliendele for seven years from 1999 to 2006 and 26 elite hybrids were selected for advanced genetic trial. The hybrids were evaluated at Nachingwea, one of the major cashew growing districts in the Southern zone of Tanzania to find out if they were suitable in the area. The data on yield and nut quality were recorded for a period of twelve years. Commercial and common variety Anacardium ceylon 4 (AC4) was used as a control. Screening of the hybrids against Cashew Leaf and Nut Blight Disease was another parameter under study. Results indicated that 23 hybrids out of 26 had good nut quality particularly on nut weight and kernel weight than AC4 and a total of 13 hybrids gave higher yields compared to control (AC4). Screening of the hybrids against the disease demonstrated that majority of the hybrids were tolerant to the disease opening an opportunity to get new cashew varieties tolerant to the disease. The control variety, which is susceptible to cashew leaf and nut blight disease had higher score and ranked last but one indicating hybrids, had lower score than AC4. These hybrids are therefore recommended for multiplication and distribution in Nachingwea and areas with similar environmental conditions like Nachingwea.