Muliyar, M.K.Rethinam, P.2014-07-172014-07-172007-02In: Abstracts, National Symposium on Coconut Breeding and Management, KAU, Vellanikkara, Trichur 23-26 Nov. 1988 p-30http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4238Inspite of the fact that the coconut area in India has increased from 5,96,000 ha in 1949-50 to 12,29,800 ha in 1986-87 the area covered by hybrids is negligible. The main constraint for the tow coverage of hybrids is the non-availability of dwarf palms on the one hand and finance on the other. The centrally sponsored scheme for production of T x D seednuts could make only a marginal impact because of the limited target due to the difficulty in crossing. Out of the present annual production of 100 lakhs coconut seedlings in the country the contribution of T x D is only about 7.0 lakhs. While the Coconut Development Council/Board could sponsor the production of 34 lakh seednuts of T x D in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa since 1980, Tamil Nadu alone could produce additional 39 lakhs of T-x D seednuts during the same period. At the same time, the production of D x T hybrids is only meagre. Out of the 10 seed gardens which have been established in the country for the production of D x T hybrids (Chandrasankara) only four seed gardens have started production in a very limited scale inspite of the fact that it is possible to produce over a lakh of seednuts as on today. In addition to D x T, there is a need to produce planting material of the four Tall x Dwarf hybrids viz. LO x CDO (Chandralakhsa), LO x GB (Lakshaganga), ECT x DG (VHC 1) and ECT sc MDY (VHC 2) recommended for large scale cultivation in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Utilizing the existing mother palms and by establishing additional Laccadive Ordinary sources it will be possible to produce about 10 lakhs T x D hybrid nuts annually. This can be further augmented provided the tissue culture technique in coconut is perfected and commercialised. If this is achieved, the country s requirement of hybrid seedlings will be met. Moreover, the planting of tall seedlings cannot be replaced by hybrids because of the limitations in the infrastructural facilities available and also the existing conditions under which coconut is being cultivated.enArticle