Cashew is an important cash crop in North Malabar region. Kannur district has the largest cashew cultivated area in the state. Further, the quality of cashew kernel from this region is considered as excellent and fetches a premium price in the international markets. However, in this region cashew is a neglected crop and the extent of adoption of crop management technologies is quite low. Some indigenous practices, especially related to plant protection, observed in this crop are listed below.

1. a. Cashew seeds, which float in water, are not used for raising seedlings.

2. b. Swabbing of neem oil around the base of the tree trunk and exposed roots against cashew stem borer attack.

3. c. Swabbing slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) at the base of the trunk against stem borer attack.

4. d. Application of burnt engine oil against stem borer attack.

5. e. Controlled burning of dried leaves in the cashew orchard after cessation of North-East monsoon at the flushing period of the trees to control tea mosquito bug.

6. f. The occurrence of cloudy days during the flowering of cashew is believed to increases the tea mosquito bug attack.

7. g. Red ants build nests on trees like nuxvomica and thanni (Terminalia bellarica) present in cashew orchards and predate over tea mosquito bug reducing the insect damage.

8. h. […]