Selection strategy for identification of high yielding cashew hybrids19

Abstract

A set of sixty cashew hybrids were assessed for their genotypic worth as compared to their parents and three standard checks (BPP 8, BH 6 and BH 85). BPP 8 was found to be the best standard check variety for nut yield as it significantly out yielded BH 6 and BH 85. Estimates of Y-hat components revealed importance of the number of perfect flowers/m2, canopy spread, number of flowering laterals/m2 and plant height for expression of nut yield. Five top ranking hybrids e.g., D 19, H 6, B 27, A 71 and G 8 selected based on rank score of these component traits, were the top yielder among the hybrids. D 19 revealed significantly higher number of flowering laterals and nut weight while, H 8 had significantly more canopy spread (North-South direction), sex ratio and number of nuts/panicle. Superiority of B27 and A 71 was attributed to taller plant type with significantly more canopy spread (both East-West and North-South direction) and higher number of flowering laterals/m2 and nuts/panicle. Such heterotic hybrids may be considered for large scale multiplication and follow-up commercial cultivation.