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Cashews: All You Ever Wanted to Know

Since Cashews are found only in the tropics, many people in the US, Europe, and Middle East have never seen a cashew tree , a cashew nut still in
its shell, or a cashew apple. Please use the following links to learn about the taxonomy of the cashew tree as well as see pictures of this interesting
tropical tree.

Taxonomy of the Cashew

Uses of the Cashew Tree (Traditional and Modern Medicines & Construction)

How to Grow Cashew Trees

Establishment and Maintenance of a Cashew Orchard

Cashew Research Bibliography

Taxonomy of the Cashew Tree

The Cashew tree, known by the latin name Anacardium occidentale, is a member of the Anacardiaceae floral family, which includes the mango
tree, pistachio tree, poison ivy and poison oak. The Anacardiaceae family contains 73 genera and 600 species. Anacardium contains eight species
which are all native to South America.

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The cashew tree is a small to medium tree, generally single-trunked and spreading in habit, up to 40' in height but generally 10-20' in cultivation.
In older trees, spread may be greater than height, with lower limbs bending to touch the ground. Leaves are thick, prominently veined, oval to
spatulate in shape, with blunt tips and entire margins. New foliage contains reddish pigment.

Flowering for the cashew tree is similar to the close relative mango tree: both male and perfect flowers are born in the same inflorescence
(polygamous). Individual flowers are 1/4" across, with crimson petals, often striped longitudinally and reflexed. They are borne terminally on
panicles, generally at the beginning of the dry season. Flowering may occur over several weeks, and it is not uncommon to have ripening fruit and
flowers on the tree at the same time.

Trees are at least partially self-fruitful, as lone trees can bear many fruit. One study of pollination biology showed no difference in pollen tube
growth between self and cross pollinated flowers, yet final yield was higher when cross pollinated. In practice, cashews are often grown from
seed, and cross pollination in orchards must occur to a high degree. Another study showed no indication of self-incompatibility, but a low
percentage of fruit set (1-18%). Fruit set is highest in flowers that open first, and suggests some type of apical dominance with respect to fruit set,
as found in the close relative the pistachio. Fruit set is similar for female and perfect flowers. Various insects, even flies and ants provide
pollination.

The true botanical fruit is a nut, about 1" long, shaped like a small boxing glove, hanging below a fleshy, swollen peduncle called the cashew apple
or pseudofruit. The cashew apple resembles a pear in shape and size, is juicy, fibrous, and astringent tasting. It has thin skin of either yellow or
light red color, and yellow flesh. Fruit are borne singly or in small clusters, and mature in 60-90 days. The nut develops first, followed by the rapid
swelling of the cashew apple in the last few weeks.

Uses of the Cashew Tree (Traditional and Modern Medicines & Construction)

Use of Cashew Wood Resin

In terms of wood quality, the cashew tree is known for producing wood with high levels of resin. The resin from the cashew wood is made into a
varnish which is known to prevent deteriation ants and other home-invading insects. The leaves, bark, and fruit also contain caustic oil which can
cause skin irritations in some people.

In its raw form, the cashew nut is not edible. However through processing, the caustic oil is removed from the cashew nut shell. This caustic oil is
referred to as Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) and is located in the tissue between the two walls of the nut shell. CNSL has many industrial uses
which include automobile and airplane brake fluid, adhesives, paints and varnishes, insecticides, electrical insulation, and anti-microbials. In
addition to CNSL, resins and gums from fruit stems or bark is used as a varnish for books, wood, and flooring to protect from ants and other home-
invading insects.

Traditional and Modern Medicines made from the Cashew Tree

There are many medicinal uses of cashew leaves , bark, and juice from the cashew apple. In Brazil, cashew bark teas were used to stop diarrhea
while the caustic shell oil was used to treat skin infections, warts, intestinal worms, and parasitic larvae beneath the skin. Teas and fruit juices from
the cashew apple and leaves are known to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, hypoglycemic, and other medicinal
properties. The active ingredients in the teas and juices are thought to be tannins, anacardic acid, and cardol. Modern uses of shell oil and fruit
juice include facial peels and scalp conditioners and shampoos. The cashew apple has also been a long time nutrional supplement as it contains up
to 5 times more vitamin C than citrus and strawberries.

How to Grow Cashew Trees

Soil requirements

The cashew is a strong plant that is renowned for growing in soils, especially sandy soils, that are generally unsuitable for other fruit trees. For the

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best production deep, well-drained sandy or sandy-loam soil is recommended. Cashew trees will not grow in poorly-drained soils.

Planting

Fresh seeds that sink in water are planted in an upright position in a planting bag containing a loose, sterilised soil mixture. Three to four seeds can
be planted directly in the planting hole. The weakest ones are thinned out later and the strongest left to develop further. The seedlings are very
susceptible to Phytophthora root rot. The plant bags should be 350 to 400 mm deep, as the tap-root grows very fast and bends around as soon as it
touches the bottom.

Seedlings

Cashew seedlings are grown under shade (45 %) and hardened off before planting in the orchard. It is very important not to disturb the root system
during planting. Young trees should be supported for the first 2 to 3 years so that wind will not blow the plants over.

Establishment

Self-pollination and cross-pollination play an important role in the formation of cashew seed. Seedlings therefore show great variation and no "true
to type" trees can be grown from seed.

Selected trees should preferably be multiplied by grafting or air layering because vegetative propagation will ensure the best production and
quality. Trees that are precocious bearers and grow vigorously are selected.

Cashew Orchard Establishment and Maintenance

Planting distance

Planting distances of 8 x 5 m is recommended. The trees grow vigorously in the first 3 years and as soon as the crowns touch each other alternate
trees should be removed until the permanent planting distance of 10 to 12 m is reached. Branches hanging on the ground should be removed
because they interfere with harvesting. In other parts of the world cashew trees bear well, in spite of the little attention devoted to the orchards.

Growth and production of cashew trees can be enhanced by establishing clonal orchards, and improving fertilising and irrigation practices

Grafting

Two grafting techniques, namely side grafting and wedge grafting are practised with success. Grafting should commence as soon as possible
(seedlings of 3-4 months old) and planted out in the orchard to prevent the tap-root from bending.

Flowering to harvest time

Flowering is affected by weather conditions and also varies from tree to tree, but continues for a period of 3 months. High temperatures lead to
earlier flowering. Both male and bisexual flowers are borne on one cluster. The flowers are very susceptible to mildew and control thereof on the
leaves and flowers is a prerequisite for good production.

Pollination is mostly by insects. After pollination it takes 6 to 8 weeks for the fruit to develop. The nut develops first while the apple develops and
enlarges only 2 weeks before fruit fall. Nuts should be harvested as soon as possible, especially under wet conditions and should be dried before
storage.

Irrigation

Irrigation is important during establishment of young trees because it doubles the growth tempo of young trees in a dry season. Due to the deep
root system the trees can survive several months without irrigation. Mature trees should receive 1 800 l of water per tree every 2 weeks.

Weed control

Grass strips in the inter-rows between the tree lines are ideal to prevent erosion and should be cut regularly.

Bibliography:

Azam-Ali, S.H. and E.C. Judge. 2001. Small-scale cashew nut processing. FAO, Rome.

Bhaskara Rao, E.V.V. and H.H. Khan (eds). 1984. Cashew research and development. Indian Soc. Plantation Crops, Kerala, India.

Duke, J.A. 2001. Handbook of nuts. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Van Eijnatten, C.L.M. 1985. Anacardium occidentale, pp. 15-17. In: A.H. Halevy (ed). CRC handbook of flowering, volume 5. CRC Press, Boca
Raton, Fla.

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Morton, J.F. 1987. Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, Fla.

Ohler, J.G. 1979. Cashew. Commun. Dept. Agric. Res. No. 71, Amsterdam.

Olaya, C.I. 1991. Frutas de America, pp. 38-51. Editorial Norma, Barcelona, Spain.

Popenoe, J. 1969. Coconut and cashew, pp. 315-320. In: R.A. Jaynes (ed), Handbook of North American nut trees. North American Nut Growers
Assoc., Knoxville, TN.

Rosengarten, F. 1984. The book of edible nuts. Walker & Co., New York.

Russell, D.C. 1969. Cashewnut processing. FAO Agric Services Bull No. 6, FAO, Rome.

Sturrock, D. 1959. Fruits for southern Florida. Southeastern Printing Co., Stuart, Fla.

Thomson, P.H. 1979. Jojoba and cashew, pp. 203-210. In: R.A. Jaynes (ed), Nut tree culture in North America. Northern Nut Growers Assoc.,
Hamden, Conn.

Topper, C.P. 2002. Issues and constraints related to the development of cashew nuts from five selected African countries. International Trade
Centre, Common Fund for Commodities report.

Wardowski, W.F. and M.J. Ahrens. 1990. Cashew apple and nut, pp. 66-87. In: S. Nagy, P.E. Shaw, and W.F. Wardowski (eds), Fruits of tropical
and subtropical origin. Florida Science Source, Lake Alfred, Fla.

Woodroof, J.G. 1967. Tree nuts: production, processing, products, vol 1. AVI Publ., Westport, Conn.
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