Evaluate the Different Gum Extracting Tapping System of Cashew Tree (Anacardium occidentale L.)
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Date
2013
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is native of North East Brazil. Its area of origin seems to
have been the state of Ceare, where the tree is found to be this day in large natural forest
(Jayasekara and Jayasekara, 2003). Collectively, cashew is usually considered the third or fourth
the greatest nut of commerce (by mass) worldwide. Cashew is a perennial crop, which gives its
harvest once in the year and harvesting period is about three to four months and in rest of the
period in the year it is not making much attention to crop by most of farmers since they are not
having economical benefits. Hence, this situation will affect to next year nut yield as well.
Economic life span of cashew tree is about 30 years. Thus, utilization of unproductive and old
plants is important to obtain continuous economic benefits to farmers. Cashew-gum extraction
represents one more source of revenue for the producer, in addition to the cashew nut yield and
the peduncle, as well as an alternative for the utilization of non productive cashew trees in a
phase of decline or senescence (Lima, 2002). The resin is synthesized in the epithelial cells
lining pockets or canals and then secreted into internal cavities (Lima, 2002). There are many
application potentials can be identified in food industry, pharmaceutical industry and stationary
industry (Gyedu et al., 2008 and Kumar et al., 2009). Therefore, there will be huge
undiscovered potential to cashew gum in future if we could produce them in substantial
amounts. Findings of this study will be important to the cashew cultivators, researchers, gum
produces and gum base industries. Objectives of this study were to investigate potential of
harvesting cashew gum and to identify the proper gum exudates method to tap the cashew trees.
Methodology
This study was conducted at Cashew Research Center, Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation,
Kamandaluwa Plantation, Puttalam district. The experiment plot was laid down in two factor
factorial design with main two factors with four replicates. The main two factors were shape of
cut (Horizontal cut, Vertical cut, āVā Shaped cut and 450 angle cut) and tapping depth (100%
bark depth, 75% bark depth, 50% bark depth and 25% bark depth). Sampling plot consisted wit h
64 randomly selected fourteen years old budded cashew plants, which were propagated using
single mother tree. Bark depth of cashew trees were measured using a bark gauge and tapping
was practiced using conventional rubber tapping knife. One fourth of tree girth was taken as
tapping length for all experimental trees. Maximum height for each cut was 60 cm from the
ground level. A plastic cup was hanged to stem to collect cashew gum. Tapping direction was
decided according to the cutting method. For āVā shape cut, tapping panel was marked by using
a stencil and half of tapping length (one eighth of girth) was taken to one side of tapping line.
For the 45 angle shape cut also, tapping panel was drawn by using a stencil. Growth parameters
(girth, height and canopy size) were recorded from all experimental trees. Yield parameters
namely availability of gum within unit time periods (three, six, and twenty four hours interval),
gum yield within 24 hours interval and state of gum (liquid or solid) with three to six hours were
recorded. Data was subjected to Pearson correlation analysis and Tukye Mean Separation using
Minitab Analytical software package (version 15.00) and SAS analytical software package
(Version 9).
Description
Keywords
Agriculture, Export Agriculture, Crop Production, Cashew, Food Science