Disease Management of Cashew in Tamil Nadu
Author : G Prabhakaran and Dr. G Nedumaran
Abstract :
Cashews are an extremely important source of income for thousands of people in Tamil Nadu Southern India in growing the plant harvesting the nuts, processing the kernels and apples, and marketing the products. Diseases have been reported to cause significant cashew yield loss in Tamil Nadu, a major cashew-producing country. Anthracnose is by far the most important disease. Other foliar infections, namely black mold, angular leaf spot, and powdery mildew, are considered less important. Gummosis of branches and trunks has increased its severity in all southern-producing states. A nematode attack has so far not been detected in this crop. Fungal deterioration of kernels, a pre-and post-harvest problem, causes losses of millions of dollars per annum. The spraying of pesticides in Tamil Nadu cashew plantations is seldom practiced by most farmers due to economic and social reasons. Some diseases are more severe in dwarf cashew clones than in common tall cashew plants.
Keywords :
Cashew, diseases, Tamil Nadu, epidemiology, etiology, control
