Nine clones of early dwarf cashew (Anacardium occidentale L. var. nanum) were evaluated within an experiment of clone competition under irrigation in Mossoró-RN, Brazil, with the objective of selecting cashew apples for fresh fruit market. Clone CCP 76 was used as a control. Cashews were harvested in august 1997 and evaluated for: firmness, size (upper and lower diameter and length), shape, color (color chart and pigment content) and weight (whole and apple). Only clone CCP 09 among those evaluated produced poorer coloring than control CCP 76, while in apples from clones CAP 6 (500), END 157, END 189 and END 329 the color was more intense than in control. Only clones END 157, END 183 and END 189 besides the control produced apples that can be classified as type 4 (highest commercial value), whilst only clones CAP 6 (500), END 157 and END 183 produced pear shaped apples. Clone END 157 presented the best characteristics for fresh fruit market even when compared to control. Results for clones END 183 and END 189 were similar to control, except for color in END 183 and shape in END 189.
Anacardium occidentale L., var. nanum; clones; cashew apple; fresh fruit market
