VTLCC-1 (Vittal Cocoa Clone 1)
Released by ICAR-CPCRI as a clonal variety. Self-compatible and cross-compatible — about 75 pods/tree/year, 36 beans/pod, 0.9–1.05 g single dry bean weight, 52.5% fat. Compact 12 m² canopy. Recommended for north-eastern India.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Cocoa Bean
- Type
- Clonal variety (budded/grafted)
- Season
- All seasons
- Maturity period
- First bearing from year 3; full bearing by year 6–8
- Seed rate
- About 200–270 plants per acre at 2.7 × 2.7 m spacing
- Expected yield
- About 1.33 kg dry beans/tree/year (911 kg/ha)
- Suitable soil
- Deep, well-drained loam or clay loam
- Release
- ICAR-CPCRI, Vittal, Karnataka — clonal selection
About this variety
VTLCC-1 (Vittal Cocoa Clone 1) is a clonal cocoa variety released by ICAR-CPCRI. Its key feature is self-compatibility — it sets fruit reliably even without cross-pollination from a different variety, which is unusual in cocoa (most cocoa varieties are cross-pollinated by midges). This makes it particularly valuable in small gardens or isolated plots where diverse pollen sources may be limited. It produces about 75 pods per tree per year with 36 beans per pod, single dry bean weight 0.9–1.05 g and 52.5% fat. Its compact 12 m² canopy fits well under palms. It is specifically recommended for north-eastern India where cocoa cultivation is being introduced.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Sowing timeJune – September (monsoon)
- Seed rateAbout 200–270 plants per acre at 2.7 × 2.7 m spacing
- SpacingAbout 2.7 × 2.7 m or 2.7 × 5.4 m
- Sowing methodOne budded/grafted plant per prepared pit between palm rows
- IrrigationAbout 20 litres per tree per week through drip in summer
- FertilizerBearing trees: 100:40:140 g N:P₂O₅:K₂O per tree per year + 10–15 kg FYM
- HarvestingRipe pods cut every 10–15 days; beans fermented 5–7 days, dried to 6–7% moisture
Soil & climate
Soil
- Suitable soil
- Deep, well-drained loam or clay loam
- Irrigation
- Good drainage essential
Climate
- Maturity
- About 20–32°C
- Irrigation
- About 1,250–2,500 mm/year
- Climate
- Warm, humid tropical; adaptable to north-eastern India's climate
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
First bearing from year 3; full bearing by year 6–8
Expected yield
About 1.33 kg dry beans/tree/year (911 kg/ha)
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
Major pests
Management notes
- Self-compatible but also cross-compatible — interplanting with other varieties can boost yield further.
- Compact canopy (12 m²) needs less pruning than vigorous hybrids.
- Standard sanitation: remove rotten pods at every harvest.
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Self-compatible — reliable fruit set even in isolated plots
- High pod count (75/tree/year) despite smaller beans
- Compact 12 m² canopy — ideal for tight spacing under palms
- Recommended for north-eastern India
- Also cross-compatible — can benefit from nearby varieties
Things to consider
- Smaller beans (0.9–1.05 g) — may not meet Grade I bean-index threshold for some buyers
- Lower yield per tree (1.33 kg) than VTLCH-5 (2.5–3 kg)
- Clonal material availability may be limited outside CPCRI nurseries
Suitable regions
North-eastern India and small palm gardens in Kerala and Karnataka where reliable self-pollination matters.
- Kerala
- Karnataka
Frequently asked questions
Why is self-compatibility important in cocoa?
Most cocoa varieties need cross-pollination by midges from a genetically different tree. In a small garden with only one variety, or in areas where midge populations are low, fruit set can be poor. VTLCC-1's self-compatibility means each tree can pollinate itself — a reliable fruit set without depending on other varieties or midge activity.
Sourced from: ICAR-CPCRI — Cocoa Varieties, DCCD — Cocoa. editorial policy.