Fertilizer Recommendation for Cashew

Fertilizers are chemicals that supply nutrients to crops. Cashew like other crops does well when fertilizers are applied to them.

In Nigeria, a significant percentage of people who engage in cashew farming do not apply fertilizers to their cashew crop, they erroneously believe that cashew does not need cashew. Yes, cashew can grow in poor soils but it will do well when supplied with the right nutrients.

Chemical fertilizers like NPK, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate and chelates etc. can be applied to cashew seedlings and trees. A soil test must be done before the application of fertilizers to your cashew crop.

Fertilizer Recommendation for Cashew

The table above shows the fertilizer recommendation for cashew for the first five years of planting. Please note that the fertilizer recommendation is per cashew tree. Please note that a soil test must be done before any fertilizer application.

Assuming a cashew nut yield of 4 – 11 KG per cashew tree, in year 1, 9 kg of farm yard manure, 140 grams of urea, 230 grams of super phosphate fertilizer and 90 grams of muriate of potash fertilizer should be applied to each tree.

In year 2, 19 kg of farm yard manure, 280 grams of urea, 460 grams of super phosphate fertilizer and 180 grams of muriate of potash fertilizer should be applied to each tree.

In year 3, 29 kg of farm yard manure, 430 grams of urea, 720 grams of super phosphate fertilizer and 270 grams of muriate of potash fertilizer should be applied to each tree.

In year 4, 39 kg of farm yard manure, 550 grams of urea, 950 grams of super phosphate fertilizer and 350 grams of muriate of potash fertilizer should be applied to each tree.

In year 5, 49 kg of farm yard manure, 1100 grams of urea, 1190 grams of super phosphate fertilizer and 460 grams of muriate of potash fertilizer should be applied to each tree.

Types of Fertilizers that can be applied to Cashew Crop

The following are the types of fertilizers that can be applied to cashew crop:

NPK Fertilizers

NPK fertilizers supply nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus to plants. Some NPK fertilizers also have other nutrients like magnesium and boron.

NPK fertilizers can be used at the planting stage, vegetative stage, flowering stage and fruiting stage of the cashew crop.

Nitrogen ensures that the leaves of the cashew tree are big and healthy; it also optimizes the process of photosynthesis. Phosphorus ensures that the rooting system of the crop is healthy, it also positively impacts flowering. Potassium ensures that the cashew crop can withstand stress and adverse conditions. It also helps in flowering and fruiting.

Nitrogen Fertilizers

Nitrogen fertilizers like urea may be used during the vegetative stage of the cashew crop. Urea can be used to correct a chronic nitrogen deficiency in the cashew plants. However, it is advised that a balanced fertilizer should be used instead of pure nitrogen fertilizer.

Phosphorus Fertilizers

High phosphorus fertilizers are usually used for basal application in cashew farming. Examples of high phosphorus fertilizers that can be used in the growing of cashew include Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizer and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer. These fertilizers ensure that the rooting system of the cashew crop is healthy, strong and big.

Special Fertilizers

Fertilizers like calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, monoammonium phosphate, monopotassium phosphate are special fertilizers that can be used for the growing of cashew. They are premium fertilizers that supply higher contents of specific nutrients.

For example, potassium nitrate can be used to quickly correct nitrogen and potassium deficiencies in cashew plants.

Chelates

Chelates are special type of fertilizers that supply micronutrients to plants. These micronutrients may include boron, molybdenum, silica, manganese, iron, copper and zinc etc. Though plants need these micronutrients in small amount, a deficiency in anyone of the micronutrients can lead to a significant drop in yield of your cashew crop.

Method of Fertilizer Application in Cashew Farming

Fertilizers can be applied in circular rings around the cashew tree. This should be done within an area of 2 metres radius.

Shallow trenches can also be dug around the cashew trees for the placing of fertilizers. The fertilizers should be covered with soil to avoid washing away by rainfall and erosion.

Fertilizers should only be applied immediately after weeding. If weeds are on the cashew farm, it is advised that these weeds are removed before the application of fertilizers.

For drip irrigated cashew farming project, fertilizers can be applied through fertigation.

Do you need a guide on how to apply fertilizers to your cashew crop? If yes, why not contact us through sales@veggieconcept.ng.