Phenology, biometry and precocity of plants of the arboreous cashew fruit from Cerrado (Anacardium othonianum Rizz.)

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to analyze the phenological behavior of the cashew tree from Cerrado (Anacardium othonianum Rizz.), Relating the phenology to the meteorological conditions of the period and the studied site, obtaining also biometric data of the plants in order to select early and late plants. indicate them for a genetic improvement study, in order to contribute to a future domestication of the species. The research was carried out in cashew populations of the species Anacardium Othanianum Rizz., from the northern, western, center-eastern regions of Goiás State, a municipality of Tocantins and one in Bahia states, and implanted in the area of the School of Agronomy of the Federal University of Goiás (EA/UFG), in Goiânia, GO state. Between 2012 and 2013, the monthly data were collected on leaf, flowering and fruiting phenophases. For the purpose of establishing correlation, the monthly mean maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and insolation were collected at the EA/UFG First Class Evaporimetric Station. The biometric data such as plant height and diameter were also performed monthly. In March, April and May there is a higher occurrence of new leaf emissions. For the flowering, the peak occurred in July, not correlating with any of the related weather data. Plant height ranged from 4.0 cm to 380.0 cm and stem diameter from 1.5 mm to 94 mm. Only three plants produced fruits during the study period. UFG progenies and the region of São Miguel do Passa Quatro stood out regarding the precocity and fruit production, and may be indicated for future work of genetic improvement.

Keywords:
Fruit of the Cerrado; Phenological phases; Biometric