Morphological and Physiological Analysis of VRI-3 Cashew Plantations under Different Planting Density Systems

Cashewnut (Anacardium occidentale L.) is an export-oriented plantation crop. The VRI-3 cashew plantation, utilizing a 7 x m low-density (LD) system with approximately 200 plants ha-1, falls short of meeting the country's import and export demands. Consequently, high-density planting (HDP) was developed in Tamil Nadu to enhance India's production. Further advancement through ultra-high-density (U-HDP) has proven effective, achieving plant population about 1250–1600 per hectare. In addition increased number U-HDP approach, morphological characteristics such as tree height, trunk girth, canopy ground coverage were studied. impact these changes resulting from on physiological parameters like Leaf Area Index (LAI) light extinction coefficient (k) also analysed. This analysis carried out using ‘Ceptometer’ model AccuPAR LP-80 device, aiming determine how might interfere productivity subsequently influence plantation's production capacity.