| Sumario: | The aim of this study was to produce genetic-statistical parameters and information on the genetic variability of 30 cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) tree clones. The experiment was carried out using randomized blocks, in CNPAT/EMBRAPA, Pacajus, Ceara, Brazil. Data were colIected between July/94 and January/95, except production during the 3 initial years. It was studied: tree height (HGT), spread of the canopy in the North-South (SNS) and West-East (SWE) directions, number of panicles/m2 of canopy (PAN/m2) number of male and hermaphrodite flowers per panicle (MF/PAN, HF/PAN) and nut production per plant (PROD), which ANOVA showed significant genetic variability among the clones to all characters considered. A joint analysis to PROD showed a year x clone interaction (P < 0.01), suggesting instability over the early years of production. This character showed the highest estimative to genetic variance in the fourth year of production (σ2G = 469897,38), and also higher values ofthe coeficient to genetic variation (29,5%) than other characters. It was found phenotypic correlations between the characters SNS and SWE (rf = 0,828**), and between HGT and PROD (rf = 0,601**), suggesting possibility for selection in young material. Estimatives of herdability were higher to HGT (40,34%) and MF/PAN (41,46%) than other characters. Therefore, it is possible to achieve genetic progress to these characters through simple phenotypic selection
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