Cumbum Panneer Thratchai Grapes | UPSC

Cumbum Panneer Thratchai Grapes | UPSC | Why In The News ?

  • GI tag sought by Theni farmers Tamil Nadu for ‘Cumbum Panneer Thratchai’ Grapes

Key Points

  • Cumbum Valley is the only place in the country where grapes are harvested round the year with three yield seasons.
  • The unique feature is that these grapes are harvested all through the year as opposed  only during January and April in the rest of India.
  • The grapes grown are suitable for making wine, spirit, jams, canned grape juice and raisins.
  • Since these grapes are produced in two seasons in a year, their yield and returns are exceptionally high.

Cumbum Panneer Thratchai Grapes | UPSC

Climate & Soil Needed For Grapes Cultivation 

  • Grapes generally require a hot and dry climate during its growth and fruiting periods.
  • It is successfully grown in areas where the temperature range is from 15-40 C.
  • High temperatures above 40 C during the fruit growth and development reduce fruit set and consequently the berry size.
  • Low temperatures below 15 C followed by forward pruning impair the budbreak leading to crop failure.
  • The fruitfulness of buds is influenced by light.
  • Light intensity of 2,400-ft. candle is essential for optimum growth.
  • However, low light intensities during the active growth stage (45-75 days after pruning) and fruit bud formation adversely affects the crop.
  • It is most successfully grown at elevations ranging from 200-250m above m.s.l. Area with annual rainfall not exceeding 900mm well distributed throughout the year is ideal.
  • However, rainfall during flowering and fruit ripening is not favourable as it leads to the spread of downy mildew disease.
  • High atmospheric humidity is detrimental during vegetative growth and fruiting.
  • At a high humidity the vegetative growth of vines is vigorous which affects the fruit size and quality.
  • Similarly high humidity during 30-110 days after forward pruning favours the development of fungal diseases.

Girnar 4 and Girnar 5 Groundnut Varieties | UPSC

Soil For Grapes Cultivation :

  • Grapes can be cultivated in variety of soils including sandy loams, sandy clay loams, red sandy soils, shallow to medium black soils and red loams.
  • The soil should be well drained, having good water holding capacity and devoid of any hard pan or impervious layer in the top 90-cm, with water table at least 6.5m below.
  • Grapes can also be grown successfully over a wide range of soil pH (4.0-9.5) however, soils having pH range of 6.5-8.0 are considered ideal.

Major Grape Growing Regions : 

Uttar Pradesh & Haryana And soil : 

  • Sandy loams sandy clay loams.

Andhra Pradesh & Soil : 

  • Red sandy soils.

North interior Karnataka & Maharashtra And Soil : 

  • Shallow-medium deep black.

South interior Karnataka & Tamil Nadu And Soil : 

  • Red loams.

Source : The Hindu | Indian Express 

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