FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
High yielding dwarf hybrids of arecanut
By Our Agriculture Correspondent
Sreemangala, (left) is a high yielding variety, and Mohitnagar X HD hybrid(right) is promising hybrid developed at the Vittal Station of CPCRI.
IDENTIFICATION OF hybrids with dwarfness and high yielding potential will benefit areca (Areca catechu) by way of increased returns and reduced cost of various cultural operations. "The breeding programme at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute's (CPCRI's) Regional Station at Vittal, Karnataka, tried various combinations of a local dwarf with five high yielding varieties, and have succeeded in developing three promising hybrids," said Dr. K.S. Ananda, Senior Scientist at CPCRI Regional Station, Vittal.
Promising varieties
Combinations of Hirehalli Dwarf (HD) crossed with Mohitnagar, Mohitnagar crossed with HD and HD crossed with Sumangala are the three promising high yielding hybrids. They have exhibited their superiority for dry kernel (chali) yields per palm per year in the early phases of bearing. HD X Mohitnagar recorded a yield of 2.65 kg chali per palm per year, while Mohitnagar X HD recorded an average yield of 2.59 kg chali per palm a year. The yield of HD X Sumangala was 2.49 kg per palm. These hybrids also showed reduced canopy area and desired dwarfness, according to Dr. Ananda.
Good features
Hirehalli Dwarf, a natural mutant identified in 1963, for its short stature, is a good genetic source for arecanut improvement. The main features of the dwarf are the complete suppression of the internodal space and erect crown shape.
The yellow to orange red colour and round to oval shape and smaller nuts are the other distinguishing characteristics of the dwarf. The yield of HD is, however, low. This dwarf has been used in all the major hybridization programmes, according to him. The other improved varieties of high yield potential developed by the scientists at the Vittal Station are Mangala, Sumangala, Sreemangala, Mohitnagar and SAS-1.The traditional promising cultivars evaluated at the station are South Kanara Local or Kasaragod Local, Thirthahalli, Sagar and Hirehalli Local, according to Dr. Ananda. All these improved varieties and local strains showed lots of promise in terms of yield and quality.
Among them Sreemangala is an introduction from Singapore, and it showed high yield potential. It recorded 59 per cent higher yield than South Kanara Local.
The palm is tall with partially drooping crown with longer internodes and sturdy stem. It starts flowering in 4 to 5 years after planting. It yields on an average 15.63 kg of ripe nuts per palm a year.
Ripe nuts are usually oblong to round in shape with deep yellow colour. This variety is particularly suited for growing in the coastal areas of Karnataka and Kerala.
Climatic conditions
The performance of the high yielding hybrids, varieties and the local cultivars will vary depending upon the agro-climatic conditions they are grown in, and the management practices adopted by the growers.
Under good management conditions following the recommended cultural practices, the potentiality of these hybrids and varieties can be exploited to the maximum extent, according to him.
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