Anacardium Occidentale Seeds

An exotic from America or West Indies but naturalised now in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh. The tree can be grown on any type of soil except heavy clay, alkaline soils and swampy areas. Recommended for bare sandy soils, hard laterite soils and deep red loamy soils. It avoids brackish soils.

Morphology of the Fruit/Seed : Drupe, Kidney-shaped, greenish grey in colour, 2.5 to 3 cms long, seated on a fleshy thick hypocarp (which is edible and developed from an enlarged torus and calyx base).
Seed Collection and Storage : Fruits are collected in April-May. Viable upto 12 months if stored in air tight containers. Completely loses viability after 14 months.
Pretreatment : Not required.
Nursery Technique : Seeds are sown in polybags in May with the stalk end facing upwards and in a slanting position, and sowing should be at a depth of 5 to 8 cms. Shade may be given and watering is done to keep the soil moist until 3 to 4 leaf stage.