Author(s):

Rex Immanuel R and M Ganapathy

Abstract: Good rhizosphere soil environment is fundamental to establishment and growth of tree crops in coastal degraded soils. Experiments were conducted at Northern Coastal Tamil Nadu, India, to determine the influence of agronomic management methods on the survival and growth of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) in strongly saline sandy loam coastal soils. To identify the suitable and sustainable agro-technology for tree establishment two methods of planting viz., pit method and auger hole method and combination of ameliorative amendments such as FYM, composted coir pith and pressmud along with gypsum, ZnSO₄ and biofertilizers were used. After three years of experimentation plant survival and growth parameters were statistically analyzed for knowing its feasibility in coastal degraded environment. The results showed that a significantly beneficial improvement in planting methods and soils with and without ameliorative amendments. Accordingly the study justified that, auger hole method of planting in combination with composted coir pith @ 25 kg pit^-1, gypsum @ 500 g pit^-1, ZnSO₄ @ 60 g pit^-1, Azospirillum @ 50 g pit^-1and Phosphobacteria @ 50 g pit^-1 was significantly registered the maximum establishment percentage of 88.25, plant height of 231.72 cm, girth of 14.98 cm, RGR of 2.75 (cm month^-1) and taproot length of 118.36 cm.

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