https://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/JPC/issue/feedJournal of Plantation Crops2024-10-27T17:15:17+0530Editorial Office[email protected]Open Journal Systems<p>As a multidisciplinary journal, Journal of Plantation Crops (JPC) aims at dissemination of research findings in plantation crops (coconut, arecanut, cocoa, cashew, oil palm, coffee, tea, rubber, date palm), including cropping systems, as well as various spices. Since its inception in 1973, 45 volumes have been published. The journal is published thrice a year during April, August and December and publication of the articles is subject to peer reviewing and recommendation by experts in the field.</p>https://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/JPC/article/view/9170Analysis of Farmer Producer Organisations in the Coconut Sector: Current Scenario, Limitations, and Policy Outlook2024-09-17T11:38:30+0530S. Jayasekhar[email protected]C. Thamban[email protected]K.P. Chandran[email protected]Lijo Thomas[email protected]Regi Jacob Thomas[email protected]<p>Farmer producer organisation is a crucial institutional innovation that aids small holders in overcoming the issues of diseconomies of scale. Nonetheless, prior experience in the coconut sector reveals that the success rates of such organisations are not as high as projected. This article begins by exploring the relevance of FPOs in the current agrarian context and gives a brief account of the evolution of such organisations in the coconut sector. The study also highlights the points for intervention and provides a critical analysis of the significance and justification for FPOs in the sector. It also includes the challenges and actionable strategies in a ready reckoner mode. The primary motivation for the formation of producer organisations in the coconut sector is to organise unorganized coconut farmers through collectives in order to promote their socioeconomic growth. The success of an FPO is heavily dependent on having a solid business plan, and scope for scalability. Inadequate working capital, including grants and credit, is a major limitation for the majority of FPOs. In this setting, it is critical to obtain bank loans at low interest rates. The development of a well recognised and valued brand is critical for the FPO's viability. Lack of professional leadership has a negative impact on FPOs in the coconut sector, and many have gone out of business as a result. To assist them, target based capacity-building programme to inculcate leadership attributes among FPO representatives should be conducted on a regular basis. Only a few FPOs in the coconut industry have looked into the prospect of gaining premium pricing through certification techniques and product traceability. This is due to a lack of both capacity and awareness. This problem must be addressed with ultimate priority. The FPOs must be trained to be self-sufficient and weaned off external assistance in a short period of time after the initiation. Therefore, FPOs should focus on increasing productivity per unit of land and shifting their current production focus to market-oriented output.</p>2024-10-27T00:00:00+0530Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Plantation Cropshttps://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/JPC/article/view/9171Development and characterization of foam mat dried palmyrah fruit pulp powder2024-09-17T11:46:34+0530P.C. Vengaiah[email protected]S. Kaleemullah[email protected]M. Madhava[email protected]A.D. Srikanth[email protected]<p>The Palmyra fruit is a good source of vitamin C, carotenoids, minerals, and sugars and the fruit pulp is used to treat skin problems, nausea, vomiting and improves digestion by relieving constipation. Study was conducted to optimize the process parameters for the production of palmyrah fruit pulp powder using foam-mat drying. Palmyrah fruit pulp was foamed by incorporating egg albumin (EA) (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 %, w/w) and methyl cellulose (MC) (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 %, w/w) as foaming agents with different pulp concentrations (PC) (8, 10, 12, 14 and16 °Brix) and various whipping times (WT) (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min) using response surface methodology with CCRD design. From the results, the optimum conditions achieved after the numerical and graphical optimization for maximum foam expansion and stability were: EA (6.875 g/100 g pulp), MC (0.262 g/100 g pulp), PC (14° Brix), and WT (2 min). The drying time required for foamed palmyrah pulp was lower than non-foamed pulp. The quality attributes of palmyrah fruit pulp powder obtained from the pulp of 14°Brix added with 6.875 % egg albumin and methyl cellulose of 0.262% whipped for 2 min and dried with a foam thickness of 4 mm at a temperature of 60 °C was found to be optimum to produce the foam-mat dried powder.</p>2024-10-27T00:00:00+0530Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Plantation Cropshttps://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/JPC/article/view/9172Standardization of micronutrient dosage to improve yield and quality of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) grown under coconut ecosystem in Tamil Nadu2024-09-17T11:52:16+0530V. Jegadeeswari[email protected]G. Amitha Kunikullaya[email protected]J. Suresh[email protected]<p>A study on standardization of micronutrient dosage to improve growth, yield and quality of cocoa (<em>Theobroma cacao</em> L.) was carried out at farmer’s field, Anaimalai, Pollachi, Coimbatore district to find out a suitable micronutrient combination for cocoa grown in coconut gardens as intercrop. The experiment was conducted with eight treatments and three replications laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD). Micro-nutrients used in this experiment were 0.5% ZnSO<sub>4</sub>, 0.3% FeSO<sub>4</sub> and 0.1% Boraxin different combinations. Foliar spray was given thrice, first spray at the time of flowering and consecutive two sprays at 45 days interval to cocoa trees intercropped under coconut plantation. Observations on yield and quality parameters were recorded in cocoa. The pod characters namely pod length (22.2 cm) and pod girth (30.6 cm) were recorded maximum in the treatment combination(ZnSO<sub>4</sub> (0.5%) + FeSO<sub>4</sub> (0.3%) + Borax (0.1%)). The treatment (FeSO<sub>4</sub> (0.3%)) registered maximum pod weight of 256.6 g. Treatments comprising of boron by itself and in combinations was found to improve the bean characters. The highest dry bean yield (2499.93g)per tree was recorded in (Borax (0.1%)).</p>2024-10-27T00:00:00+0530Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Plantation Cropshttps://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/JPC/article/view/9173Field evaluation of fungicides for management of Lasiodiplodia leaf blight of coconut2024-09-17T11:59:21+0530P. Latha[email protected]C. Sudhalakshmi[email protected]J. Suresh[email protected]M. Karthikeyan[email protected]S. Sumitha[email protected]B. Augustine Jerard[email protected]<p>Various fungal and phytoplasma diseases are adversely impacting coconut yield. Among them, leaf blight, primarily attributed to <em>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</em>, has emerged as a significant contributor to yield losses ranging between 10 to 25 percent. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of novel fungicide formulations in mitigating leaf blight in coconut palms. An experimental plot, organized using a Randomized Block Design, was established, consisting of five distinct treatments, each replicated four times. The findings reveal that systemic fungicides, specifically propiconazole and tebuconazole, exhibited notable efficacy in curtailing leaf blight when applied at concentrations of 250 ppm and 1000 ppm, respectively. The effective fungicide concentrations are considerably lower than other fungicides tested in the field trials. The results revealed that sequential root feeding of propiconazole 25.9% EC @ 5% (100ml/palm) and tebuconazole 25.9% EC @ 5% (100ml/palm) at three months interval reduced the leaf blight incidence (5.66 % reduction) over control compared to root feeding of same fungicides continuously at quartely interval (3.02 %) with in six months on currently it boosted the nut yield to 135 nuts per palm per annum, compared to the 99 nuts per palm per annum recorded in the control palms.</p>2024-10-27T00:00:00+0530Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Plantation Cropshttps://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/JPC/article/view/9174Waste to wealth generation via areca plate manufacturing on micro scale2024-09-17T12:07:08+0530Nagrajappa Adivappar[email protected]H.P. Sudeep[email protected]Kirankumar R. Patil[email protected]H.C. Swathi[email protected]R.M. Revathi[email protected]P. Ranjitha[email protected]<p>Areca leaf sheath which was hitherto wasted on the garden has found profound importance in the hands of microenterprise owners. Value has been added to leaf sheath through their conversion into biodegradable plates and bowls. Micro scale production units are concentrated in arecanut hinterlands of Karnataka. The study was conducted considering 30 micro units from Shivamogga and Davangere districts of Karnataka. The average of total cost incurred, gross returns and net returns realized over the production period of six months was Rs. 315518.40, 4,21,000, 1,89,467 respectively. Profitability reflected in the Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.33 indicating that every rupee invested on plate manufacturing unit enabled manufacturer to reap gross returns of Rs. 1.67. Waste to wealth generation not only results in income generation but also results in employment generation for rural folk.</p>2024-10-27T00:00:00+0530Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Plantation Cropshttps://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/JPC/article/view/9175Determinants of R & R programme Participation among Coconut Producers in Tamil Nadu: A Heckman Two Stage Selection Approach2024-09-17T12:12:56+0530N. Narmadha[email protected]K.R. Karunakaran[email protected]A. Kandeepan[email protected]<p>The purpose of the study is to investigate the variables that affect coconut farmers' participation in Tamil Nadu's Replanting and Rejuvenation (R & R) scheme. Utilising a multi-stage sampling technique, a total of 120 coconut farmers were surveyed as respondents. Heckman's two-stage model was used with Probit model included in the first stage, and OLS was used to analyse the income regression in the second stage. Results reveal that age of farmer, education, farming experience, awareness of R&R programme, age of coconut tree, high incidence of pest and diseases, availability of irrigation facilities, and availability of credit for purchasing farm inputs are the most important determining factors for participation. These findings suggest that the R&R program requires to be implemented on a large scale with the aid of Coconut Development Board. This program should focus on removing old, senile, unproductive, and disease-advanced palm trees, replanting them with quality seedlings at subsidized prices, and revitalizing existing gardens through an integrated set of practices.</p>2024-10-27T00:00:00+0530Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Plantation Cropshttps://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/JPC/article/view/8916Spatial and social dimensions of community extension approach in management of coconut red palm weevil2024-04-17T12:44:34+0530P. Anithakumari[email protected]V. Selvamani[email protected]<p>Coconut red palm weevil <em>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus </em>Olivier is a killer pest of coconut posing threat of crop loss to small and marginal farmers. The participatory area wide study was conducted since 2014-15 in Bharanikkavu grama panchayat in an area of 2100 hectares involving 6249 households with 174667 coconut palms of various age categories. The interventions included assessment of RPW infestation through combing survey involving stakeholder teams, extension interventions, area wide surveillance, removal of infested palms, adoption of bio management in associated pest rhinoceros beetle and leaf rot disease, weekly coconut clinics, advisory support, technology backstopping and area wide adoption of management practices. The implementation area was mapped with remote sensing and GIS and the reduction in RPW mapped comparatively in pre and post intervention period as a tool to assess the results. The infestation reduced to 0.38 from 2.98 per cent in the pre intervention period. Cheap and simple early detection tools and biological control measures are badly needed for the small scale growers community for managing red palm weevil.Community Extension Approach was evolved for marginal land holdings of coconut with threat of red palm weevil infestation. Sustaining the interest, motivation and support of relevant stakeholders is the challenge in area wide community management which warrants sequential surveillance assessment and participatory social mechanisms.</p>2024-10-27T00:00:00+0530Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Plantation Cropshttps://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/JPC/article/view/9176Comparative biochemical features of wild-type and purple cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)2024-09-17T12:23:09+0530N.V. Jyothi[email protected]Akhil Ajith[email protected]B. Ramesha[email protected]K.B. Hebbar[email protected]S.V. Ramesh[email protected]<p>The comparative biochemical features of both the wild-type and purple-coloured cashew apple varieties are presented. The total soluble sugar content in purple cashew apples was higher (13.96%) than that in normal cashew apples (6.78%). Compared with purple cashews, wild-type cashew apples have a high titratable acidity (0.224%) as they contain more ascorbic acid (342.85 mg/100 g) than purple cashew apples (228.57 mg/100 g). The total polyphenol content of purple fruit leaves (8.04 mg GAE/g), peels (4.532 mg GAE/g), and pulp (2.067 mg GAE/g) was higher than that of wild-type cashews. Additionally, the flavonoid content (9.423 mg/g in leaves, 4.923 mg/g in apple peels, and 3.688 mg/g in cashew pulp) was higher in the purple cashew than in the wild-type cashews. Chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll contents in wild-type cashew leaves (0.287 mg/g, 0.176 mg/g, and 0.463 mg/g, respectively) were greater than those in purple cashew leaves. However, the chlorophyll concentration in the fruit was found to be very minimal. Although the carotenoid content of the fruit was high in the wild-type cashew (22.83 g/100 g), the carotenoid concentration in the purple cashew leaves (83.475 g/100 g) was greater than that in the normal cashew leaves. Analysis of the anthocyanin contents suggested that the leaves and peels of plants with the purple genotype had relatively high anthocyanin contents (38.499 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/kg (C3GE/kg) and 25.87 mg C3GE/kg) compared to those of plants with the wild-type cashews (0.157 and 0.951 mg C3GE/kg, respectively). These biochemical constituents of purple cashew suggest its potential application in the development of cashew apple-based nutritional products.</p>2024-10-27T00:00:00+0530Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Plantation Crops