THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Cashew nurseries can significantly cut plastic use and waste, while improving labour efficiency, with Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) developing a coir-fibre root trainer system for producing grafted cashew seedlings.
The technology, developed jointly by KAU and the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), offers an environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional plastic polybags widely used in cashew nurseries. The feasibility of using coir-fibre root trainers (CRTs) for cashew graft production was successfully demonstrated through experiments conducted at the Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara.
Under the new system, cashew seedlings are grown in 150-cc coir-fibre root trainers and grafting is carried out when the seedlings are around two months old. Nursery workers involved in the trials said the new system made handling the seedlings and carrying out grafting easier.
The use of coir-fibre root trainers is expected to significantly reduce plastic consumption and the resulting waste in cashew nurseries. Besides reducing the need for plastic waste disposal, the system can help lower the consumption of other nursery resources and improve labour efficiency. “The coir-fibre root trainers provided a promising eco-friendly alternative to the plastic polybags currently used in cashew nurseries,” said KAU Vice-Chancellor T Sajitha Rani.
She added that the technology could particularly benefit cashew nurseries by making routine seedling management and grafting operations easier, while reducing the environmental footprint of nursery production.
KFRI principal scientist P Sujanapal said the institute had studied the performance of coir-fibre root trainers in more than 100 species of forest plants. More than 1 lakh forest tree seedlings had already been distributed using the technology, he said.
However, the use of coir-fibre root trainers for cashew graft production is being attempted for the first time, he added.
Production of CRTs is currently progressing as part of a GAIL India CSR project. Retired IFS officer Sheikh Haider Hussain is leading efforts to expand the initiative and promote wider adoption of the technology. KAU research director Dr Latha A and Cashew Research Station head Dr Jalaja S Menon also attended the function.
Reduces use of polybags
Wider adoption of the CRT system is expected to help cashew nurseries reduce dependence on plastic polybags, minimise plastic waste and disposal requirements, and improve the efficiency of nursery operations. The initiative is being seen as an important step towards promoting more sustainable and environmentally friendly nursery practices in cashew cultivation.