Effect of Climatic Factors on Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Productivity in Benin (West Africa)

Abstract

Cashew production is affected by variability of climatic factors. The present work aims to study the effect these climatic factors on cashew productivity in the Central and North-West areas of Benin. Data related to plant phenology, nut and apple yields were collected in three villages (Adourékoman and Gobé in the Centre and Founga in the North-West) during two production seasons (2013-2014 and 2014-2015). In addition, socioeconomic survey was conducted among 80 experienced producers (over 50 years aged and over 10 years’ experience in cashew plantation). Quantity of rainfall, temperature, number of rain days, potential evapotranspiration and wind speed from a period of 1981 to 2010 were also collected at the synoptic stations of ASECNA of Savè in the Centre and Natitingou in North-West. The average rainfall and temperature of both areas revealed an upward trend while, wind speed was less violent in the North-West and potential evapotranspiration was high in the Centre. The season and the area of production did affect significantly (from P<0.05 to P<0.001) appearance of flowers and fruits and also nuts and apples production. In general, cashew trees had produced more in the North-West than the Centre. Furthermore, apples and nuts production were higher in 2014-2015 (6.48 ± 0.05 and 50.72 ± 5.86 kg/tree respectively for nut weight and apple weight) than in 2013-2014 (3.95 ± 0.55 and 39.20 ± 6.63 kg/tree respectively for nut weight and apple weight). The agro-climatic stress index and amount of rainfall in September and October (in both areas), and the number of rainy days (at the Centre only) were main factors determining cashew trees’ production.