The hydraulic redistribution on cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) at nursery stage

Cashew plants can distribute soil water vertically from waterier subsoil to drier topsoil, called as hydraulic lift (HL). There is no report on its ability to distribute soil water laterally or hydraulic redistribution (HR). This study was conducted at ISMCRI greenhouse from March-October 2018. Cashew varieties B-02 were planted in pot, then set in three treatments : (1) two parts of the roots in water sufficient (WW), (2) one part of the roots in drought stress and one part in water sufficient (WD), and (3) both parts of the roots put in drought stress conditions (DD). The study was arranged in a complete randomized design, nine replications. The results showed proportion of root biomass in drought stress to total root biomass was relatively same between WD and DD (0.4). The soil moisture value in WD plants were significantly higher than that of DD (1-3%) for 7 days period. Water status in plant tissue presented by the leaf water potential, showed the same tendency. The leaf water potential value of WD plants was between DD and WW. These indicated that cashew plants possessed HR ability, being able to transfer soil water laterally and maintained relatively high soil moisture in the roots.