ARECANUT

Mangala (VTL-3):

Among the exotic collections under evalutions for yield and its component traits, cultivar VTL-3 introduced from China was found to have a number of desirable characters such as earliness in bearing, more number of female flowers per inflorescence, higher nutset, initial and cumulative and higher yield, quicker stabilization of production and lesser height in comparison with local South Kanara variety. The cultivar was released for coastal areas of Karnataka and Kerala upto an altitude of about 800 meters above MSL in 1972 for commercial cultivation under the name`Mangala' which is characterized by partially drooping crown with well spread leaves and having more number of leaflets as compared to South Kanara local. The leaf lets are dark green in colour with characteristic crinkling at the tip.

Sumangala (VTL-11) and Sreemangala (VTL-17)

Critical observations recorded on the exotic and local(South Kanara) showed that the cultivars introduced from Indonesia(VTL-11) and Singapore(VTL-17) had a higher number of desirable characters as compared to local South Kanara. There was an increase in yield of 63 per cent and 48 per cent, respectively in VTL-11 and VTL-17 over the local control. In view of the significant yield increase in VTL-11 and VTL-17, these two varieties were released for all the areca growing areas in general and in Dakshina Kannada(Karnataka) in particularly as Sumangala and Sreemangala in 1985. These varieties have an yield increase 62.89 and 47.59 per cent over SK local and 53.33 and 38.93 per cent over Mangala.

Sumangala:

It is a tall type with partially drooping crown. Under good management, palms flower in 4-5 years. The colour of the ripe nuts is deep yellow to orange and oblong to round in shape. The variety recorded an average yield of 17.25 kg of ripe nuts per palm per year at the age of ten years.

Sreemangala:

The palm is tall with partially drooping crown with longer internodes and sturdy stem. It starts flowering in 4-5 years. It is a high yielder with an average yield of 15.63 kg ripe nuts per palm per year. Ripe nuts usually oblong to round in shape with deep yellow colour. The evaluation of indigenous collections showed higher yield potential of Mohitnagar, Calicut-17 and SAS-1 cultivars over the others.

Mohitnagar:

Mohitnagar, an indigenous(Mohitnagar, West Bengal) arecanut variety with a high yield potential has been recommended for release during 1991. The important features of this variety is its greater uniformity. The bunches are well placed and nuts are loosely arranged on spikes which help in their uniform development and also enable efficient plant protection measures. Early stabilization of yield as compared to Sumangala and Sreemangala was also noticed. The variety is consistent high yielder with an average yield of 15.08 kg ripenuts per palm per year. This variety is released for cultivation in West Bengal and Coastal areas of Karnataka and Kerala.

Calicut-17:

The striking features of this cultivar is its consistent and high yielding potential(an average yield of 18.89 kg ripenuts per palm per year with a kernel wt. of 4.34kg per palm per year), well placed bunches with round and bold nuts. This cultivar has been released for commercial cultivation in Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. The variety Calicut-17 (indigenous to Andaman and Nicobar islands) is tall in nature with longer internodes and crown as compared to Mangala.

SAS-1:

This variety is characterized by tall palm with compact canopy. Nuts are round and even sized and closely arranged on compact bunches. This variety is a regular bearer and has higher procuring percentage. Also it is suitable for both tender and ripe nut processing. It has got the potential to yield about 4.60 kg chali per palm per year. The variety has been recommended for traditional arecanut growing valleys of Sirsi hill zone of Karnataka.

South Kanara Local/Kasaragod Local:

It is largely grown in Kasrgode district of Kerala and Dakshina kannada district of Karnataka.It is characterised by large sized nuts with uniform bearing and an average chali yield is about 2.0 kg/palm/year. Ripe nut of this cultivar is mainly used for making chali.

Shriwardhan:

It is grown widely in the Raigad and Rathnagiri districts of Maharashtra and coastal Karnataka. The nuts of this variety are oval in shape and the yield is comparable to `South Kanara'. Average yield recorded is about 2.20 kg chali/palm/year. Because of the larger proportion of its endosperm it is tastier than other varieties. Due to its shape and marbled appearance of the kernel when cut, it fetches premium price in the market.

Thirthahalli:

It is grown extensively in Malnad areas of Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts of Karnataka and ripe nuts of this cultivar preferred for tender nut processing. The size of the nuts is smaller and oblong in shape. Its yield is about 12 kg ripe nut/palm/year.

Sagar:

It is mainly grown in Uttara Kannada and Shimoga districts of Karnataka. It is a tall type having sturdy stem with erect bunches are the distinguishing characters of this cultivar. The nuts are smaller in size and round in shape. Average yield 2.25 kg chali/palm/year. Nuts are used for making both chali and tender nut processing.

Hirehalli local:

It is a tall type and mainly cultivated in maidan parts of Karnataka. The nuts are medium sized, round to oval shape. Nuts of this cultivar is used both for tendernut processing and making chali. Average yield is 3.20 kg chali/palm/year.

Distinguishing characters of promising cultivars and released varieties of arecanut

Last updated: 22-05-2008