AICRP(Palm), ARASIKERE
The All India Coordinated Coconut and Arecanut Improvement Project were started in 1972 with headquarters at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, and Kerala. Later on the project was renamed as All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms. The AICRP on Palms at Horticulture Research Station, Arsikere started functioning from May 1976.
Objectives:
- Collection, conservation, cataloguing and evaluation of germplasm, new hybrids and high yielding varieties of coconut.
- Standardization of agro-techniques for various agro-climatic regions and development of appropriate farming/ cropping system compatible with the main crop and edaphic and climatic conditions.
- Development of effective and efficient pest management strategies.
Completed Projects:
| S.No. | Projects/ Experiments | Year of Start | Year of Close |
| 1 | Integrated nutrient management in coconut through organics | 1996-97 | 2004-05 |
| 2 | Drip irrigation experiment in adult coconut Palms | 1999-00 | 2004-05 |
| 3 | Coconut based high density multi species cropping system | 2001-02 | 2006-07 |
| 4 | Nutritional requirement of high yielding varieties/hybrid coconut | 1987-88 | 2007-08 |
| 5 | Performance of medicinal and aromatic plants in coconut gardens | 2006-07 | 2008-09 |
| 6 | Management of Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease of coconut | 2000-01 | 2006-07 |
Ongoing Projects:
Production and evaluation of new cross combinations
| S.No. | Projects/ Experiments | Year of Start | Expected Year of Close |
| A: Crop Improvement | |||
| 1 | Utilization of existing germplasm and description of varieties | 1994 | 2012 |
| 2 | 1987 | 2012 | |
| 3 | Trial on new hybrid combinations in coconut | 1992 | 2014 |
| 4 | Trial on promising seed materials in coconut | 1994 | 2012 |
| 5 | Collection, conservation and evaluation of local germplasm | 2009 | 2025 |
| 6 | Evaluation of new coconut hybrids of location specific cross combinations | 2009 | 2025 |
| 7 | Performance of Tall x Tall hybrids in coconut in different agro-climatic regions | 2009 | 2025 |
| 8 | Performance of newly released coconut varieties and hybrids in different agro-climatic regions | 2009 | 2025 |
| B: Crop Production | |||
| 9 | Studies on fertilizer application through micro irrigation technique in coconut | 2007 | 2013 |
| 10 | Development of coconut based integrated cropping system models for different agro-climatic regions | 2008 | 2014 |
| 11 | Observational trial on performance of Morinda citrifolia as a mixed crop in coconut gardens | 2008 | 2014 |
| C: Crop Protection (Disease management) | |||
| 12 | Etiology and epidemiology of Ganoderma wilt disease of coconut | 1999 | 2012 |
| 13 | Management of basal stem rot disease of coconut (New) | 2007 | 2012 |
| 14 | Preventing spread of root wilt disease in South Kanara district of Karnataka | 2006 | 2012 |
| 15 | Survey and surveillance on diseases (basal stem rot, stem bleeding and bud rot) of coconut. | 2004 | 2012 |
| 16 | Early detection of Ganoderma wilt/basal stem rot disease of coconut by indicator plants | 2007 | 2012 |
| 17 | Evolving coconut types resistant to Ganoderma wilt disease of coconut | 2007 | 2012 |
| 18 | Studies on Post Harvest Diseases of coconut | 2007 | 2012 |
Achievements:
- Nuts of coconut can be collected for seed purpose through out the year.
- Planting of seed nuts in horizontal position at 30 cm apart is ideal to get good stand of robust seedling compared to vertical planting.
- Planting of coconut seedlings 60 cm deep in 90 cm pits is ideal for good growth of plants..
- Planting of tall coconut at 9 m X 9 m spacing is ideal for better growth and yield.
- When there is good source of irrigation water, banana can be grown as inter crop in coconut with medium available water, drumstick, French bean and ladies finger can be grown as inter crops. With limited source of irrigation water, red gram can be grown as rain fed crop with need based protective irrigation (Picture - 1). Medicinal and aromatic plants (Kalmegh, Makoi, Garden rue, Tulsi, Arrow root and lemon grass) can also is cultivated as inter crops. (Picture -2 & 3).
- Raw coir pith can be made into compost of good manurial value by using lino-cellulo-lytic fungi, Pleurotus Sojarcaju and used as a good source of nutrients to coconut (Picture –4).
- Combined application of Hexaconozole (1%) 100 ml root feeding at quarterly interval along with soil application of neem cake @ 5kg/palm/ year plus Trichoderma @ 50g /palm/ half year has been found effective in the management of basal stem rot disease of coconut.
- The nut and copra yield of coconut was higher in the crosses of GBD X LCT, GBD X FJT, GBD X PHO and MYD X TPT and these hybrids are found suitable for plains of Karnataka (Picture –5).
- The research station is producing and supplying about 10,000 coconut seedlings to the farmers every year and has planned to produce 25,000 seedlings this year onwards to meet the increasing demand by the farming community.
For the management of anthracnose disease in black pepper, two sprays of 0.1% propiconazole to vine during the last week of May and August is recommended. This is an alternate to 1% Bordeaux mixture.
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| Picture -1 :Promising Coconut Hybrids |
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| Picture -2 :Medicinal and aromatic plants in coconut garden increase total income of the garden |
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| Picture -3 :Medicinal and aromatic plants in coconut garden increase total income of the garden |
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| Picture -4 :Profitable intercrops in coconut garden |
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| Picture -5 :Composted coir pith (CCP) as source of nutrients to coconut |
Contact Us:
| AICRP | Head |
| AICRP on Potato Hassan | Dr. Siddagangaiah |