CCRI to come out with new variety of Coffee

Balehonnur, Karnataka, July 16 (UNI) A new high yielding variety of Coffee, resistant to white stem borer and other pests, which is developed by the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) here, will be released commecrially in December.

Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, who was on a tour of Coffee growing Districts of Karnataka to interact with Coffee growers of Chikmagalur, Kodagu and Hassan districts during the weekend, told newsmen here that the 85 year-old Institute had succeeded in developing a new variety, which was yet to be named, for commercial use and the release would be made in Bangalore.

He however expressed disappointment with the Institute developing only one new variety during the last 21 years. The Minister asked the scientists to come out with new varieties atleast once in a five years. The last new variety released by the Institute was 'Cauvery' in 1986.

Describing the salient features of the new variety, CCRI Director of Research Dr Jayarama said that the new variety was resistance to White Stem Borer, which had badly affected coffee crop in these parts of South India, had drastically reduced output of Arabic variety from 1.25 lakh tones to 75,000 tonnes in Chikmagalur alone.

He said that during the field trials the new variety had yielded 1200 tonnes per hectare and about 500 farmers, who grew the new variety had, expressed satisfaction over the usefulness of the new variety.

He said that the yield may go up to 2000 kg per hectare with intensive cultivation that can help gain an additional yield of 30 per cent or more.

Dr Jayaram said that it was necessary that the growers take extra care in bring up coffee plants as they were like children.

Negligence on part of growers was main reason behind the attack of pests.

To a question, he said that five new varieties were being developed by CCRI. They were under various stages of trials and the Institute would release new varieties in next five years.

The new variety, 'Sarchimar' (Scientific name) produces excellent secondary branching that can be exploited to advantage with appropriate skill. Cyclic rejuvenation of the plants after initial 6-7 yields every seven years interval will also prove advantageous.

'Sarchimor' an Arabica hybrid derived by crossing 'Villa Sarchi', a mutant of Bourbon variety with Hibrido de Timor, was a Spontaneous interspecific hybrid of Arabica and Robusta, he added.

UNI