Anacardium occidentale is a plant native to lowland tropical and subtropical regions, thriving at altitudes of up to 1000 meters. The trees produce their best crops when cultivated near the coast, in hot, semi-arid, frost-free climates with arid thickets in stony and sandy soils. Cashew trees can tolerate dry conditions as long as their extensive root systems have access to soil moisture. When planted in dry areas, a deep, well-drained, and penetrable soil is necessary. Once established, the tree requires minimal attention and is easily grown. These biological characteristics make Cashew trees ideal for re-greening eroded lands.

The trees are renowned for their swift growth, displaying rapid initial development particularly in young trees, which may begin flowering as early as 18 months old. The pollination of these flowers is facilitated by honey bees and other insects, with both cross and self-pollination occurring thanks to the assistance of honey bees, flies, and potentially ants. The shell of the Gajus nut harbors an oil that can trigger contact dermatitis akin to poison ivy.

Gajus seed usually germinates within three weeks of sowing. Reports indicate that seed stored in open conditions for up to four months can achieve 100% germination, although this percentage decreases to 50% after 10 months and drops to zero after 14 months. As the seedling grows, branches will begin to emerge from the stem, necessitating pruning to encourage the development of a strong trunk when the plant reaches a height of 0.5-1.5 meters. The traditional cashew tree, which can grow up to 14 meters tall, typically takes around four years to begin producing fruit and eight years before it is economically viable to harvest. In contrast, newer varieties such as the dwarf cashew tree reach heights of only about 6 meters and can start producing fruit after just one year, with significant yields after three years. While traditional cashew trees yield approximately 0.25 metric tons per hectare, dwarf varieties can yield over a ton per hectare. The average productive lifespan of a cashew tree is typically between 30-40 years.

Techniques such as grafting and other modern tree management methods are employed to enhance and maintain cashew nut production in commercial orchards. A comparison between traditional and dwarf trees often favors the latter, as they are considered horticultural plants. However, widespread planting of grafted trees may increase the risk of disease outbreaks, as it reduces genetic diversity that could otherwise provide natural ecological and biological defenses against pathogens.

The Anthracnose fungus (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) targets young shoots, flowers, and fruit, leading to necrosis and shedding. Control measures involve removing and incinerating infected plant parts. In plantations, powdery mildew, characterized by white fungal growth, is a prevalent issue that can be managed with sulfur treatments. Symptoms include leaves shriveling, drying up, and falling off, potentially resulting in loss of flowers. Other fungal diseases like damping off and wilts have also been documented. Additionally, local pests such as wood borers, stem girdlers, and sucking pests like thrips can cause significant damage.

Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae)