ICAR-CCRI inks MoU with Pratima Biotech, Raipur

The MoU will aid in the production of disease-free citrus plants

The ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pratima Biotech, Raipur, Chattisgarh for production of disease-free quality planting material of citrus today.

Dr Dilip Ghosh, Director, ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur stated that the partnership would be a milestone in the area of production of the disease-free quality planting material Citrus in India.

There are five commercial citrus genotypes commonly grown in India, viz., mandarin, sweet orange, acid lime and lemons, pummelo and grapefruit. There is a demand of about 20 million plants of the various commercial citrus cultivars in India for the new plantation and replanting of gaps within an existing orchard. It is well established that the productivity of perennial fruit crops is highly affected by the quality of planting materials.

The ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur standardised a protocol for the containerised nursery production system for Citrus. It seizes the spread of soil-borne and graft transmitted pathogens through the planting material. Due to the long nursery phase, that is, from 18th to 22nd months, it is very difficult to meet the requirements by the institute alone. Therefore, ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur is promoting nursery production through PPP mode.

The MoU will aid in the production