The main objective of this research was to compare the phenology of grafted plants of the clones CP 076 and 1001 of precocious dwarf cashew tree, under localized irrigation conditions. It was carried out from April 1985 to March 1991 on an experimental area of the Federal University of Ceará, in Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil. Observations were taken on 10 plants from each clone planted in a clonal germoplasm area spaced 6 m x 6 m. The development of quantitative and qualitative growths, leaves abscission, flowering, fruit set, and plants in production were evaluated The monthly averages of temperature, relative humidity of air, and wind speed as well as the monthly totals of insolation, solar radiation, and rainfall were registered during the whole experiment. It was verified that height, plant spread, leaves abscission, and qualitative vegetative growth took place for both clones, continuously throughout the experiment, more as a consequence of the irrigation that the plants were submitted. Flowering and fruit set of both clones showed a different behaviour. The clone CP 1001 presented a much more defined periodicity than clone CP 076. The rain distribution is the climatic factor that seems to influence more in this behaviour.
Anacardium occidentale L.; phenophases development; meteorological data
