Important

Cocoa

• ICAR- CPCRI RS Vittal is the National Active Germplasm Site (NAGS) for Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and maintaining 536 (439 EC, 97 IC) cocoa germplasm accessions in Field Gene Banks.
• Involving in collection, conservation, characterization, cataloguing, evaluation, utilization and management of cocoa genetic resources and breeding cocoa varieties.
• Apart from basic types of cocoa, the Criollo, Forastero, Trinitario, conserving related species Theobroma grandiflorum (Cupuassu fruit), Theobroma bicolor (White cocoa/ Mocambo fruit) and Cola nitida (Kola nut).
• Maintaining alternate gene banks at CPCRI RC Kidu of same agro climatic conditions with 61 accessions and at YSR Hort University with 39 accessions at different agro climatic region.
• Developed eight cocoa varieties including five hybrids VTLCH-1, VTLCH-2, VTLCH-3, VTLCH-4, VTLCH-5 and selections VTLCS-1, VTLCS-2 and VTLCC-1 with high productivity tolerance to major biotic stresses (black pod rot, tea mosquito bug) and climate resilience
• Biofortified varieties- VTLCH 1, VTLCH 2, VTLCH 5 and VTLCC 1
• Elite clones and hybrids are under multi location evaluation in six each at CPCRI and AICRPP centres under arecanut, coconut and oil palm based cropping systems and different agro climatic zones including NE region.
• Self- incompatible and cross- compatible lines were identified for hybrid development and hand pollination method was standardised.
• Vegetative multiplication of elite clones and hybrids through soft wood grafting and patch budding techniques were standardised. for establishment of clonal orchards.
• In situ top grafting methodology validated for young seedling garden as well as rejuvenation of old orchards.
• Mother gardens such as bi-clonal, poly-clonal orchards/ seed gardens with self-incompatible and cross-compatible parental clones, scion banks/ budwood gardens/ compact blocks on varieties established in Vittal, Kidu, Mohitnagar and Kahikuchi for quality planting material production, supply and income generation through Revolving Fund Scheme.
• CPCRI RS Vittal is Cocoa Model Nursery under Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development (DCCD), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India.
• Seed/ seedling/ clonal standards developed for cocoa with Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards of Govt. of India.
• Cocoa clones, VTLC-15, VTLC-19, VTLC-30 and VTLC-32 of Nigerian pedigree NC-23, NC-29, NC-42 and NC-45 respectively are identified as root stocks for drought tolerance.
• Developed DUS guidelines for cocoa and CPCRI RS Vittal is the DUS Centre on Cocoa.
• Passport data on 56 cocoa clones developed and published. Ten Kahikuchi cocoa genotypes were characterized with minimal descriptor and IC nos. obtained.
• DUS traits catalogued for 29 cocoa clones and uploaded in PPVFRA database.
• Fine cocoa types, four each of Criollo and Trinitario types with white beans, fat, Theobromine and caffeine contents identified for product diversification/ specific chocolates.
• Qualitative improvement done by standardizing fermentation with minimal processing methods for selection of processable varieties.

Quick Links

Important

Notifications

Cocoa