Researchers from Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical (CE) developed a cashew clone that demonstrated excellent performance in the semi-arid high-altitude region. The BRS 555, which has just been launched, is recommended for the Seridó hinterland and the semi-arid mountains of the Serra de Santana mesoregion, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The high productive potential is a highlight of the clone, which recorded an average of 2,7 kilos per hectare (kg/ha) of nuts from the sixth to the ninth year of production. The state's average production in 2021 was 336 kg/ha, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
On average, the nut productivity of the new clone was 57,6% higher than the control clone BRS 265, while the peduncle production registered an increase of 60,4% compared to BRS 265. The variety presents a nut with good weight , on average 2,5g.
Another advantage of this new variety is its resistance to the stem borer (Marshallius anacardii), a pest with a high incidence and severity in the mountainous area and which causes a reduction in the canopy, plant height and, consequently, production.
According to researcher Francisco Vidal, to develop BRS 555, the research worked on the individual phenotypic selection of plants on the Caucaia Agropecuária S.A farm, located in the municipality of Pio IX, in Piauí. Then, Embrapa researchers carried out preliminary evaluations of clones at the Embrapa Experimental Field, in Pacajus (CE). Subsequently, the clonal evaluation of the selected genotypes and evaluation in the producer area were carried out in the municipality of Santana do Matos, mountainous region of Rio Grande do Norte.
In the field, management techniques are created that include irrigation, phytosanitary control and pruning. In the industry, ways are being considered that enable the integral processing of cashew, adding value to each phase of the raw material. However, it is in laboratories and experimental fields that Embrapa designs its technological product with more lasting effects: clones.
The dwarf cashew tree varieties developed by Embrapa opened routes for economic optimization of the production chain.
Obtained through a genetic improvement program, the clones made it possible to reduce the size and standardize the plants, allowing the use of the peduncle and the modernization of cultural and phytosanitary treatments, essential for increasing productivity. Added to this, resistance to water stress and some pests and diseases, offering producers greater productivity, savings on management techniques and profitability with the use of the stalk as table cashews and in the juice and sweet processing industry. With the giant cashew tree, it is difficult to use the peduncle, as the size of the plant makes manual harvesting impossible, which guarantees the greatest integrity of the fruit.
In recent years, Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical has installed several experiments to test new clonal materials more adapted to the growing regions. In Rio Grande do Norte, municipalities such as Serra do Mel, Apodi, Severiano Melo, Lagoa Nova, Parnamirim and Florânia acted as hubs for the development of dwarf cashew tree clones.
Carlos de Medeiros Costa, Secretary of Agriculture of Florânia, in the hinterland of Seridó (RN), highlights that cashew farming in the municipality has undergone a renewal with increased production, quality selection and a new market standard not only for almonds , but also for table cashew following the arrival of Embrapa clones.
“Today, Florânia has between 80% and 90% early dwarf cashew trees. It was something that revolutionized. Those who did not switch to growing early dwarf cashew trees were left behind, as many giant cashew trees are unproductive. Furthermore, the producer knows that throughout the year he will have this income from the cashew tree, which is why he takes care of it, invests, pruning, fertilizing, carrying out all the necessary treatments. This work by Embrapa is of great importance”, says the secretary.
Medeiros also highlights that the development of clones in the Santana dos Matos region was essential for the revitalization of cashew farming in Florânia, which now relies on materials adapted to local climate and soil conditions. “The majority of cashew trees are clones, mainly from the clonal garden that Embrapa brought, which is made up of varieties adapted here. This is important, as we saw over time that many projects that brought seedlings produced in other conditions did not have good adaptation results,” he recalls.
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