Evaluate the Different Gum Extracting Tapping System of Cashew Tree (Anacardium Occidentale L)
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Date
2013
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a perennial crop which gives its harvest once in the year and in rest period there is no much attention to crop. Economic life span of the cashew tree is about 30 years. Thus utilization of unproductive and old plants is important to obtain continuous economic benefits to cashew farmers. Cashew gum is by product and synthesized in the epithelial cells lining pockets or canals and then secreted into internal cavities. There are many application potentials of cashew gum in food, pharmaceutical and stationary industry. Therefore the objective of this study was to evaluate different tapping system for extracting cashew gum. The study was conducted in Puttlam district. The experiment plot was laid down in two factor factorial design with main two factors as treatments with four replicates. Two factors were shape of cut and tapping depth. Cashew trees were tapped by using rubber tapping knife. Growth parameters and yield parameters of selected trees were recorded. Data were analyzed using Minitab analytical software package and SAS analytical software package. Result revealed that there was no significant relationship between growth parameters and cashew gum yield. Further it showed that, there was a good potential to extract gum by using a tapping method. Among these sixteen tapping systems, horizontal shape cut 100% depth was the suitable tapping system to extracting cashew gum.
Key words: Cashew, Cashew gum, growth parameters, Bark depth, Cashew tree tapping, Gum exudation
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Palm and Latex Technology and Value Addition Degree Programme ( PLT)