Development of a tissue culture protocol for coconut is the top priority for the Kasaragod-based Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), according to its director.

P Chowdappa, Director of CPCRI, told Business Line on Wednesday that the total requirement of coconut seedlings in the country is around 10 million a year. However, the country produces only around 3.5 million seedlings. There is a huge gap of around 6.5 million seedlings, he said.

Stating that there is no technology protocol for coconut as of now, he said: “Development of tissue culture protocol for coconut is the top priority for us now.”

CPCRI, which is making efforts to develop a protocol for that, wants to involve different institutes of national level with funding from Department of Biotechnology for this purpose.

He said CPCRI recently conducted a workshop on ‘planting material production in coconut’ for evolving strategies for enhancing availability of quality coconut seedlings to meet the growing demand.

The workshop discussed the suggestion of developing technology for tissue culture of coconut for the rapid multiplication of planting materials in coconut, he said.

Other strategies such as strengthening the existing nurseries and seed gardens; and preparing inventory of existing mother palms in research stations and nurseries under state agriculture and horticulture departments, farmers’ gardens and private nurseries were also discussed at the workshop.

He said that delegates from different states representing agricultural universities, departments of agriculture and horticulture, entrepreneurs, farmers and non-governmental organisations participated in the workshop.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW