The Hindu Business Line : ‘Quality planting material key in fruit production’

A scientists meet on tropical fruits has called for research focus on supply of disease-free planting material to improve per tree productivity in horticultural crops.

Addressing at the 15th group meet of the all-India coordinated research projects on tropical fruits (AICRP) held at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University between May 9 and 12, Dr B. Chandrasekaran, Director of Research, TNAU, said the major constraints in tropical fruits production were low productivity due to poor quality planting material, unattendance of senile orchards, long gestation and high capital costs.

Besides improving the availability of disease-free seedlings, developing machinery for harvest, shift towards system-oriented research from commodity-oriented research and identifying indigenous traditional knowledge would go to strengthen horticultural crop management, he added.

Dr H.P. Singh, Deputy Director-General - Horticulture (ICAR), who inaugurated the meet said horticulture sector formed the main plank in attracting investment and horticulture production touched 180 million-tonnes mark.

Stating that among the tropical fruits, the demand for papaya has risen manifold due to availability of good quality varieties.

He underlined the need to develop new papaya varieties and technologies to make papaya a profitable venture.

More Stories on : Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables | Tamil Nadu

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Monsoon onset over Kerala by May 29: IMD

Supplies to sugar mills may be hit as cane area shrinks

Ornamental fish may get green certification

TN fishermen seek compensation for trawl ban

‘Quality planting material key in fruit production’

Spot rubber hits Rs 120 a kg again

Higher volumes on offer at Coonoor tea auctions

China quake effect may hit metals’ supply