VTLCH-2 (Vittal Cocoa Hybrid 2)

VTLCH-2 (Vittal Cocoa Hybrid 2) is a CPCRI hybrid with parentage ICS 6 × SCA 6. Its defining feature is documented tolerance to the two biggest cocoa problems in India — black pod rot (Phytophthora palmivora) and tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis) — plus tolerance to low moisture stress. This makes it the safest variety for areas where monsoon black pod rot regularly destroys pods or where dry spells are common. It produces about 50 pods per tree per year with 40 beans per pod, single dry bean weight 1–1.5 g and 54% fat content, yielding about 1.5 kg dry beans per tree per year.

Plant typeHybrid seedling
MaturityFirst bearing from year 3; full bearing by year 6–8
Yield potentialAbout 1.5 kg dry beans/tree/year (1,030 kg/ha)
Disease resistanceTolerant to black pod rot and tea mosquito bug
SoilDeep, well-drained loam or clay loam rich in organic matter
SeasonAll seasons

• Sowing timeJune – September (monsoon)
• Seed rateAbout 200–270 seedlings per acre at 2.7 × 2.7 m spacing
• 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) 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 (CPCRI)
• HarvestingRipe pods cut from trunk every 10–15 days; beans fermented 5–7 days, dried to 6–7% moisture

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

• Karnataka
• Kerala
• Andhra Pradesh
• Gujarat

• VTLCH-1 (Vittal Cocoa Hybrid 1)

  Released by ICAR-CPCRI, Vittal. Early bearing, high yielding hybrid — about 50 pods/tree/year, pod weight 350–400 g, about 40 beans/pod, single dry bean weight about 1–1.11 g, fat content 54%.

  View variety details

• 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.

  View variety details

• 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.

  View variety details

• 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.

  View variety details

• 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.

  View variety details