PANAJI: Timely rainfall, conducive soil conditions and almost even temperatures during the day and night are proving to be beneficial for the cashew crop which is likely to flower almost ten days prior to their scheduled timing this season.“The state received rains in October, which has balanced the moisture content of the soil and favoured the bursting of buds,” said AR Desai, principal scientist (fruit science), ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Old Goa. He also attributed the early flowering to favourable temperature and abundance of nutrients in soil.“Last season, the cashew yield was erratic. The residual nutrient that was not utilized for flowering and fruiting at that time is still stored in the soil. The balance is proving to be useful for this season’s crops,” he said.“As of now, the day temperature ranges around 34-35C and night temperature vary between 20-22C. The difference is not a big one, and thus very comfortable for the crop’s growth. Further, with a humidity of 75-80%, the conditions are favorable for cashew flowering,” he added.Shivram Arolkar, a farmer who has witnessed the early flowering phenomenon in his cashew orchard, said, “Flowering usually starts by November 15 and we see cashew bulbs forming by December. The entire fruit is ready to be plucked in February or March. This time, since flowering commenced prior to the scheduled time, the fruit is likely to ripen 15-20 days earlier than usual.”He further added that farmers will also have to take pre-emptive measures to avoid fruit flies and pest attacks.“To avoid insect attacks, we will have to be vigilant and spray the crops earlier to ensure they are protected,” he said.While the season has started on a positive note, the difference between night and day temperature may create a problem once peak flowering season sets in in December.“The flowers are subject to dehydration if very cold nights are followed by extremely hot afternoons. Due the presence of saline water in Goa, the resultant fog in the mornings also contain saltwater particles that are deposited on the flowers and cause dryness. Farmers must therefore spray fresh water on the flowers to keep them hydrated,” Desai said.

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