Tissue-cultured seedlings of dwarf hybrid Arecanut

Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala is hoping to commercialize two dwarf hybrid varieties of Arecanut for farmers by 2019.

The two varieties both chali (white arecanut), named as VTLAH?1 and VTLAH?2 were developed by the institution more than three years ago, the tissue culture technology is transferred to a TN based company, which in likely to start its commercial seedling production from next year.

CPCRI in collaboration with ASPEE also developed a drone and a tractor-mounted blower for spraying prophylactic solution to control "kole roga", this highly positive technology will be released by 2019.

Benefits of Dwarf hybrid Arecanut

800 tissue-cultured seedlings of dwarf hybrid Arecanut can be planted in on an acre, whereas 600 units of traditional tall varieties occupies the same space, this will help farmers to plant more units per acre area and hence an increase in revenue.

These varieties grew up to 4 m in height and starts yielding in the fourth year, VTLAH?1 yielded 2.54 kg a palm while VTLAH?2 yielded 2.64 kg.

These varieties being short in height will eradicate the shortage of skilled labourers for harvesting arecanut from tall trees and spraying prophylactic solution to control "kole roga" or mahali (fruit rot disease) by climbing the trees.