Scientists working at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute , Kayamkulam, Kerala, have developed a new variety of coconut palm, which is highly resistant to the century-old root-wilt disease. It also produces a large number of nuts by crossbreeding a disease-tolerant variety 'West Coast Tail' and 'Chowghat Dwarf' known for high yields.
Thirty one coconut plants of the hybrid variety have started yielding fruits about two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half years after planting. The average yield per tree in the second year of fruition was 100 nuts. On an average, one nut gave 200 gm of copra.
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