ICAR-CCRI inks MoU for Production of Disease-free Citrus Plants

Nagpur

The ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the M/s Pratima Biotech Ltd., Raipur, Chattisgarh for production of disease-free quality planting material of Citrus today.

ICAR-CCRI inks MoU for Production of Disease-free Citrus Plants

Dr. Dilip Ghosh, Director, ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur stated that the partnership would be a milestone in the area of production of the disease-free quality planting material Citrus in India.

There are five commercial Citrus genotypes commonly grown in India, viz., Mandarin, Sweet Orange, Acid Lime & Lemons, Pummelo and Grapefruit. There is demand of about 20 Million Plants of the various Commercial Citrus Cultivars in India for the new plantation and replanting of gaps within an existing orchard. It is well established that the productivity of perennial fruit crops is highly affected by the quality of planting materials.

The ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur standardized a protocol for the containerized nursery production system for Citrus. It seizes the spread of soil borne and graft transmitted pathogens through the planting material. Due to long nursery phase, that is, from 18th to 22nd Months, it is very difficult to meet the requirements by the Institute alone. Therefore, ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur is promoting the nursery production through PPP Mode.

(Source: ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra)