Comparative Effects of Three Fertilizer Formulations on Yield Performance of the Three Elite Cashew Genotypes (Anacardium occidentale L.) Grown in Korhogo Region, Northern of Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Cashew productivity in northern Côte d’Ivoire is constrained by low soil fertility, creating a need to assess fertiliser responses in locally important planting material. In order to contribute to improving cashew productivity in Côte d’Ivoire, a field experiment was conducted in Lataha (Korhogo region, northern Côte d’Ivoire). The objective was to assess the comparative effects of three fertiliser formulations on the yield performance of three elite cashew genotypes (LAX3264, LAX4297, and LAZ330). The trial was established in an existing orchard aged 27-30 years, using a split-plot design with three replications. Six treatments were applied: T0 (unfertilised control), T1 (Yara Vita Croplift Bio, foliar spray), T2 (Yara Mila WINNER 50 kg + Yara Liva NITRABOR 50 kg), T3 (Yara Mila WINNER 100 kg + Yara Liva NITRABOR 100 kg), T4 (Yara Mila WINNER 75 kg + Yara Liva NITRABOR 75 kg), and T5 (Yara Mila WINNER 50 kg + Yara Liva NITRABOR 150 kg). Granular fertilisers were applied basally in furrows at the onset and end of the rainy season (May and October 2020), while foliar fertiliser was sprayed twice in October 2020. Nut yield and production duration were monitored from January to April 2021. Results indicated significant genotypic differences in production duration, with LAZ330 showing the longest period (55.3 days). However, fertiliser treatments did not significantly affect nut yield, which ranged from 1.1 t/ha/year (control) to 1.6 t/ha/year (T2). These findings highlight that, under the prevailing soil fertility constraints, the tested formulations were insufficient to enhance cashew productivity in the short term. Longer-term trials and optimised nutrient management strategies are required to develop fertilisation practices adapted to cashew cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire.