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Introduction |
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This
is called Latakar, Jaffra, in Hindi, Sinduri puspi, Trinapuspi,
Sinkomala, Raktabeeja, Karachamala in Sanskrit, Shadari in
Marathi, Sinduri in Gujarati, Annato in English and
Bixorellana in Scientific. This is an evergreen shrub and
grows to 15 ft. height. This is a native of America and also
India. It is grown extensively in Brazil and Mexico for its
dye. In India it is grown in Karnataka. AP, MP, TN, Orissa,
Maharashtra. Its leves resemble the shape and size of bettle
leaves. There are two types of species viz.,
01) White flowers and yellow fruit
02) Red flowers and red fruit |
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| Both shrubs yield fruit in bunches. The fruit is covered
with rind and has soft spines. The fruit has orange red
seeds in it about 50 in numbr. The shrub blooms between
August to December and yields fruit in March/April. On
ripening the fruit splits lengthwise and the seeds start
appearing. After sometime the seeds will dry up. The dye
extracted from the seeds is called Bixin. |
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Important Uses
of Annato |
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It is used
in medicines for many ailments. This is good for viral
fevers and urinary problems. When the red dust on the seeds
is mixed with water and applied on the body. It acts as a
mosquito repellent. It is useful for general health if the
leaves are ground to past and mixed with missri and taken
orally. As the dye is edible it is used for colouring
butter, paneer, ghee, margarine, ice creams etc. It is also
used as dye on cloth, skin, boot polish, medicines,
cosmetics etc., |
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Cultivation
Practices |
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Soil : Any type of soil is suitable for Annato. Red soils
and light soils are best suited. It can also be cultivated
in black soil, which are having good drainage. It comes up
well in pH range of in 6.5 – 8.0. This can be cultivated as
sole crop or this can be intercropped with others like
turmeric, ginger, Sarpagandha, Ashwagandha, Safed Musli.
Climate : It is a tropical plant, so it performs well in
India. It grows well in temperature range of 20-450 C and
rainfall of about 500 – 750 mm.
Planting : Planting can be done during the months of July to
September or in January – February. Saplings can be raised
from the seeds in April to May. |
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Planting
Methods |
- Plough the field twice
or more to remove the weeds.
- Prepare the pits at
10*10 feet distance.
- Pit size 1*1*1
- Mix 5-7 kg of FYM, 100
gms of super phosphate, 400 gms of neem cake, with the
soil removed from the pits and fill them with the same.
- Fill the pits 3/4th and
dry them for 10 – 15 days.
- Press the soil around
base of stem before watering to prevent lodging.
- Apply complex 17:17:17:
@ 100 gms, compost 10 kg per plant once in 4 months up to
7 years.
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Irrigation |
To establish initially crop requires irrigation. Drip system
is advisable for effective use of water.
INTER CULTIVATION : Soil is to be loosened to avoid weed
growth and to conserve moisture underneath. Bullock drawn
cultivator can remove weeds in between plants.
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Plant
Protection |
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Usually the crop is less prone to pests and diseases. If
leaf eating caterpillars and jassids attach the field, apply
monocrotophos @ 1.6ml/lt of water. If leaf spot infests the
field spray D-M-45 @ 3 gm/lt of water. Spraying the
chemicals should be avoided after flowering. |
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Harvesting |
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Yield start from 12th month but first flush to be removed to
enable the plant for better vegetative growth. In next 6
months it again flowers and give yield. Yield will be peak
from 4th year. Yield will be ½ kg per shrub till 3rd year
and it will be 4-5 kg per shrub in 4th year. Total yield is
around 14-20 quintal per acre. |
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Seed
Procurement |
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As the fruit starts splitting the fruit is picked and kept
for drying in shade for 4 days. This is kept in bags in the
sun for some time and is beaten with sticks for removing the
seeds. The seeds are then filled in the bags and sold. After
their life cycle the plants can be removed and used as
firewood. This shrub remains evergreen, attractive and
aesthetic to surroundings. To extract colour from the seeds,
please refer to CFTRI Mysore – 570 013. |
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Economics |
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The going rate for Annato is Rs.20 to 20 per kg. The profit
per acre can be upto Rs.40,000/-. Annato is in great demand
and it is expected that the demand for it will go on
increasing. Annato has bright future in domestic and
international market. |
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