VTLCH-1 (Vittal Cocoa Hybrid 1)

VTLCH-1 (Vittal Cocoa Hybrid 1) is one of the first cocoa hybrids released by the ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) at Vittal, Karnataka. It was bred specifically for Indian palm-garden conditions — compact canopy that fits under arecanut or coconut palms, early bearing from about the third year, and reasonable yield. At full bearing it produces about 50 pods per tree per year, with each pod weighing 350–400 g and containing about 40 beans. The single dry bean weight is about 1–1.11 g and fat content is 54%. This translates to about 1.4–1.5 kg dry beans per tree per year. It is the baseline CPCRI hybrid — newer releases like VTLCH-5 yield more, but VTLCH-1 remains widely planted and well-understood.

Plant typeHybrid seedling
MaturityFirst bearing from year 3; full bearing by year 6–8
Yield potentialAbout 1.4–1.5 kg dry beans/tree/year (959–1,030 kg/ha)
Disease resistanceNot specifically documented
SoilDeep, well-drained loam or clay loam rich in organic matter
SeasonAll seasons

• Sowing timeJune – September (monsoon), when palm canopy shade is established
• Seed rateAbout 200–270 seedlings per acre at 2.7 × 2.7 m spacing between existing palm rows
• SpacingAbout 2.7 × 2.7 m or 2.7 × 5.4 m
• Sowing methodOne 4–6 month-old seedling per prepared pit (50 × 50 × 50 cm) filled with topsoil and FYM, between existing 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 (CPCRI)
• HarvestingRipe pods (green → yellow) cut from trunk every 10–15 days; beans scooped, fermented 5–7 days, sun-dried to 6–7% moisture

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

• Kerala
• Karnataka
• Tamil Nadu
• Andhra Pradesh

• VTLCH-2 (Vittal Cocoa Hybrid 2)

  Parentage ICS 6 × SCA 6. Key advantage is tolerance to black pod rot, tea mosquito bug and low moisture stress — the safest choice for disease-prone areas. About 50 pods/tree/year, 40 beans/pod, 1–1.5 g single dry bean weight, 54% fat.

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• VTLCH-5 / Nethra Centura

  Released 2008 by ICAR-CPCRI in the institute's centenary year ("Nethra Centura"). The highest-yielding CPCRI hybrid — about 66 pods/tree/year, 43 beans/pod, 1.11 g single dry bean weight, 52% fat. Recommended for growers wanting maximum yield.

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• 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.

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• VTLCS-1 (Vittal Cocoa Selection 1)

  Released by ICAR-CPCRI through clonal selection. Stress-tolerant, heavy bearer — 55 pods/tree/year, 42 beans/pod, 1.3 g single dry bean weight (heavier than most hybrids), 52% fat. Best for areas with dry-season stress.

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• VTLCS-2 (Vittal Cocoa Selection 2)

  Released by ICAR-CPCRI through clonal selection. Stable, stress-tolerant heavy bearer — 41 beans/pod, 1.21 g single dry bean weight, 53% fat. Highest fat content among CPCRI selections. Best for dry areas needing stable production.

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