Assessment and selection of new hybrids from the Australian cashew breeding program

Abstract

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is an emerging crop suited to tropical regions of Australia. To be viable on world markets, Australian cashews must be more productive and of higher quality than competing products. Since these characteristics are not exhibited consistently by existing varieties, an improvement program was initiated. This paper reports on the evaluation of 2 sets of hybrids produced in 1991 and 1992, which were planted on commercial cashew orchards in the Northern Territory and Queensland and were assessed in terms of yield and quality during 1998 and 1999.