Performance of coconut hybrids and varieties in the East coast of Andhra Pradesh

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is one of the plantation crops with more life span, so suitability of a variety or hybrid for particular region may improve the productivity of the coconut. An experiment was carried out with seven hybrids and two varieties viz. Chandra Sankara (COD × WCT), Chandra Laksha (LCT x COD), VHC1 (ECT × MGD), VHC-2 (ECT × MYD), Kera Ganga (WCT × GBGD), Laksha Ganga (LCT × GBGD), Godavari Ganga (ECT x GBGD), Kera Chandra (Double Century) and Chandra Kalpa at Dr.YSRHUHorticultural Research Station, Ambajipeta, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema Dist., Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was initiated in 2002, in Randomized Block Design in three replicated blocks. The compiled data for six years (2015- 2021) revealed that, Godavari Ganga recorded significantly highest nut yield /palm/year (144.40 nuts) followed by VHC-2 (134.93 nuts) and Kera Ganga (133.33 nuts). Godavari Ganga recorded maximum copra yield of 3.20 t/ha and oil yield of 2.20 t/ha. Tender nut water quantity was recorded more (322.5 mL) in VHC-2 and Godavari Ganga. Due to its superior nut, copra and oil yield, Godavari Ganga and VHC-2 can be recommended for cultivation Andhra Pradesh

Heterosis for economic traits in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Field studies conducted for a period of 12 years to assess the traits responsible for yield performance and heterosis of twelve coconut hybrids in comparison with three varieties showed that among the hybrids, GBGD x ECT recorded the highest mean yield of 127.6 nuts palm-1 year-1 and was on par with ECT x GBGD (106.9 nuts palm-1 year-1), COD x LCT (108.0 nuts palm-1 year-1) and WCT x MYD (107.6 nuts palm-1 year-1). Hybrid GBGD x PHOT recorded the highest fruit length (23.9 cm) followed by ECT x GBGD (23.3 cm). The hybrid ECT x GBGD recorded the highest values for most of the fruit characteristics viz., fruit breadth (17.3 cm), fruit weight (1180.0 g), husked fruit weight (758.0 g) and copra weight (231.1 g). The variety ‘Laccadive Ordinary’ recorded higher oil content (71.1%) compared to its hybrids, LCT x GBGD (70.8%), COD x LCT (70.0%) and LCT x COD (69.8%). Hybrids displayed substantial differences in their heterotic response for nut characters. The highest yielding hybrid, GBGD x ECT excelled its standard check by 40.8 per cent followed by LCT x COD (39.4%)

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Not AvailableThe quest for prospecting crop wild relatives in search of traits of economic importance has been gaining importance worldwide. Endemic species of such significance need to be given urgent attention for conservation, not only for their future potential uses in modern day agriculture but also due to the roles they play in the ecosystem of their areas of origin and rather narrow distribution. In this research, various aspects of assisted regeneration viz. pretreatment, substrate, storage life, stage for transplanting and post-transplanting survival were studied in an endemic, threatened wild banana species (Musa indandamanensis). Based on germination percentage, growth parameters, seedling vigour index and seedling survival, treatment of freshly extracted seeds with 0.1% KNO3 for 24 h prior to sowing in vermicompost as substrate was recommended for mass multiplication of the species. Seed storage behavior was studied in the species, which suggested that the species exhibits intermediate seed storage behavior. Seed viability was reduced over time especially after three months of storage and corresponding reduction in seedling vigour index was also recorded. Based on photosynthetic pigments analysis, eight leaf stage was found to be the best for transplanting the seedlings in the field with 100% survival. The species was conserved in field gene bank and Biological Park for facilitating its characterization and subsequent utilization.DBT-BioCARe (19575

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Not AvailableTwenty seven coconut accessions comprising eight dwarfs and 19 tall types were studied for floral traits, pollen yield and pollen germination. PCA indicated that the first three principal components accounted for more than 70% of variation and the important traits that contributed to the variation were length of inflorescence, girth of inflorescence stalk, length of spikelet bearing portion, weight of 1000 male flowers (fresh as well as dry), number of spikelets per inflorescence and pollen yield. Pollen germination percentage showed no differences between Tall and Dwarf accessions. PCA indicated that the 27 accessions could be grouped into eight clusters and cluster composition showed absence of geographical affinity. The level of association among the floral traits was estimated. The inflorescence length, length of spikelet bearing portion, length of inflorescence stalk, length of spikelet and fresh and dry weight of 1000 male flowers showed significant correlation with pollen yield. The number of female flowers in an inflorescence showed highly significant positive correlation with the length of spikelet bearing position. The study reveals that selection of accessions based on the inflorescence traits could be advocated as they contribute to the diversity among the coconut genotypes. Selection of accessions from the diverse clusters would help in harnessing higher heterosis and better utilizing the diversity for crop improvement.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe morphological and molecular characterization of a large fruited coconut population was undertaken using twenty three morphological traits, six tender nut traits and eight fruit component traits. Fruit component analysis of the nuts of this accession indicated that they have low husk to nut weight ratio typical of the Niu vai type cultivated in South East Asia. The microsatellite analysis indicated that Vaibhavwadi coconut population (MAHT) is generally close to the South East Asian coconut accessions and has proximity with dwarf accessions in the conserved germplasm of India. Though, genetic assignment test did not identify this accession specifically with any particular cultivar in the microsatellite database, the probable origin of this type could be identified as Borneo Tall (60% similarity) a cultivar which is known to produce large coconuts. It is suggested to conserve the MAHT in the National Coconut Gene Bank of India for its utilization in the breeding programme.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSpices have played a very important role in shaping the history of human culture and civilization. Spices, condiments and aromatics were the first products to be traded by the ancient people. Spices are important high value commodities traded internationally for many centuries. Spices are low volume, high value, export oriented crops. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands which is known as hot spot of biodiversity, is bestowed with congenial climatic conditions for cultivation of different kinds of spice crops. Most spices are well adapted to grow under shaded conditions and hence integration of spices in the existing coconut and arecanut plantations is one of the viable option for increasing the area and production of spices in the Island. The Andaman and Nicobar islands have emerged as a popular tourist destination and there is a high demand for high quality spices. The consumer preference is more towards organic spices and hence there is a lot of scope for increasing the area under spices and branding the spice products as organic since there is a minimal or no usage of chemical fertilizers and plant protection chemicals in the Island for production of spices. The major constraints faced by the farmers for spices cultivation were the non availability of quality planting material of spice crops and lack of awareness of recent developments in spices production technologies. ICAR-CIARI with the aid of the centrally sponsored scheme funded by Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development Board (DASD) is involved in quality planting material production of spice crops and their distribution to farmers in different parts of the Island. Various training programmes, workshops and seminars are regularly conducted at village, district and state level to increase the awareness among the farmers about the improved technological developments in spices production. ICAR-CIARI is also constantly involved in conducting front line demonstration programmes of black pepper, ginger and turmeric to farmers in different parts of the Island. Many farmers in the Andaman group of Islands are successful in organic cultivation of ginger and turmeric and their success stories have been documented.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableField studies conducted for a period of 12 years to assess the traits responsible for yield performance and heterosis of twelve coconut hybrids in comparison with three varieties showed that among the hybrids, GBGD x ECT recorded the highest mean yield of 127.6 nuts palm-1 year-1 and was on par with ECT x GBGD (106.9 nuts palm-1 year-1), COD x LCT (108.0 nuts palm-1 year-1) and WCT x MYD (107.6 nutspalm-1 year-1). Hybrid GBGD x PHOT recorded the highest fruit length (23.9 cm) followed by ECT x GBGD (23.3 cm). The hybrid ECT x GBGD recorded the highest values for most of the fruit characteristics viz., fruit breadth (17.3 cm), fruit weight (1180.0 g), husked fruit weight (758.0 g) and copra weight (231.1 g). The variety ‘Laccadive Ordinary’ recorded higher oil content (71.1%) compared to its hybrids, LCT x GBGD (70.8%), COD x LCT (70.0%) and LCT x COD (69.8%). Hybrids displayed substantial differences in their heterotic response for nut characters. The highest yielding hybrid, GBGD x ECT excelled its standard check by 40.8 per cent followed by LCT x COD (39.4%)Not Availabl