Climatic Influence on Growth and Yield

• It is a sun-loving tree and does not tolerate excessive shade.
• It can tolerate temperatures above 36°C for short periods, but the optimal range is 24–28°C.
• A dry spell during flowering and fruit setting ensures better harvest.
• Cloudy weather during flowering increases chances of tea mosquito infestation and scorching of flowers due to this
• Heavy rains during flowering and fruit setting damage production.
• High temperatures (39–42°C) during fruit set cause fruit drop.

Soil and Elevation Requirements

• Cashew can grow in various soil types from sandy to laterite and at elevations of 600–700 m.
• It performs best in well-drained red sandy loams and light coastal sands.
• Heavy clay soils, poor drainage, very low temperatures, and frost are unsuitable.

Rainfall and Fruit Setting

• Cashew is cultivated in regions with 600–4500 mm of annual rainfall.
• Fruit setting is better when rains are minimal during flowering, and nut maturity occurs in a dry period.