annatto plantation

[vriksha]

Can anyone provide me with further details about annatto cultivation? I believe that annatto seeds are fetching a price between Rs 60-90 in the herb market currently. An acre can accomodate about 300 annatto trees I am told and fast growing tissue culture annatto plants are also available from a few tissue culture companies.

What other crops or herb can be interplanted I wonder in an annatto plantation? The annatto trees will throw some shade for sure when they grow up and spread out so shade tolerant herbs/crops can be considered for interplanting. Any suggestions will be very welcome.

 

[Ashwini]

Hi
Cultivation practices of bixa orellena

Soil-it is hardy shrub which can be grown in any type of soil.Soil should have little moisture retention capacity.

Climate-it is a tropical plant.Needs warm and humid climate.

Season-it is planted in month of april and may.

Propagation-it can be propagated by seeds and stem cuttings. And around 500 plants can be accomodate in one hectare area.

Flowering-it start bearing flowers from 3rd year till 10 th year.
Flowering season-leat week of august to middle of october.Flowers convert into fruits 90 days after flowering.They mature and dry up in january.

Harvesting-formation of cracks at the stigmatic end is the sign of maturity.mature fruits should not leaves for further time otherwise due to brusting ,there may be less yield.

Yield-each shrub gives around 1 kg of seeds and from one hectare 300-500 kg of seeds can be obtained.


Regarsd
Ashwini