Peter A L Masawe

Tanzanian Cashew Cultivars Peter A L Masawe

Tanzanian Cashew Cultivars is a book that give brief description about historical background of cashew breeding in Tanzania from 1954-2005. It explain factors behind decline in cashew nut production in Tanzania and efforts made to revive the cashewnut production. This include contribution made by several cashew development projects in developing new cashew varieties. It gives detail description of the parameters used in the selection of the cashew clones including morphological traits, nut quality tests and kernel grades. The morphological description followed the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) which promotes a minimum set of morphological characters thought satisfactory for the custodial management of crop germplasm. It also highlights the reaction of the cashew clones to major cashew diseases which are the main factor behind decline in Cashewnut production. It provides brief agronomic information and production trends of each cashew clone and national cashew production from 1945 -2005. The book displays flushes, flowering panicles (inflorescences), and nuts/apples for each cultivar to show their distinctness. The book shortlists and displays the main cashew diseases and insect-pests in Tanzania, symptoms of their attack, areas affected and appropriate control measures.