VTLCH-5 / Nethra Centura

VTLCH-5, named "Nethra Centura" to mark CPCRI's centenary year (2008), is the highest-yielding cocoa hybrid released in India. It produces about 66 pods per tree per year — significantly more than VTLCH-1 (50) or VTLCH-2 (50). Each pod has about 43 beans with a single dry bean weight of 1.11 g and 52% fat content. At full bearing, it yields about 2.5–3.0 kg dry beans per tree per year (1,500–1,800 kg/ha), nearly double the earlier hybrids. It is suitable for high-density planting under both arecanut and coconut canopies. While it lacks the documented disease tolerance of VTLCH-2, its raw productivity makes it the first choice for growers in areas where black pod rot is manageable through sanitation.

Plant typeHybrid seedling
MaturityFirst bearing from year 3; full bearing by year 6–8
Yield potentialAbout 2.5–3.0 kg dry beans/tree/year (1,500–1,800 kg/ha)
Disease resistanceNot specifically documented
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 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; heavy bearers (50+ pods): 200:80:280 g + 10–15 kg FYM
• HarvestingRipe pods cut 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
• Tamil Nadu
• Andhra Pradesh

• 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%.

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• 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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• 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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