Offshoot
Offshoot
Offshoots are axillary buds developed between the leaf base and the trunk during the juvenile phase of the palm.
Number of offshoots developed per palm is depend on the variety/clone.
Offshoot production is limited to short vegetative phase of the palms, at 10-15 years with an average of 10-20 offshoots.
The offshoot development process is very slow, which retard the fast multiplication of the suckers.
No techniques are available to speed up the production of offshoots and reduce the time gap.
Technology Demonstration
Farmers were unaware of the importance of offshoots to produce true to type palm' and less experienced by the technique of offshoot separation from mother plant.
Lack of the knowledge by which an offshoot can be 'tuned' for transplanting to reduce the mortality.
Farmers used to remove all the suckers at the initial stages itself without understanding the trait of the fruits by the time quality of the fruits are known, no offshoots were left out for further multiplication.
How Do We Do It
Choice/Selection of Offshoot
From palms which are healthy, high yielding with desirable qualities.
Offshoots are of 3-5 years old with a weight of 8-10 kgs.
Offshoots have enough roots.
Methods of Root Initiation
Select the desirable offshoot, remove the soil from the base and tie a plastic sheet around , spray iba @1000ppm at the base and fill it with FYM, saw dust and soil in equal proportion and sew the sheet properly.
This has been done about 3-4 months before monsoon.Irrigate regularly to keep the rooting media moist.
The offshoots will be ready for removal & transplanting within six months with enough roots.
Separation of Offshoots from Mother Palm
Tie the leaves of the off shoots and excavate the soil around the base to see the attachment of offshoots to mother palm.
By using chisel and hammer cut the joint without damaging the mother palm or offshoots.
Cut portion of the offshoots and mother palm should treat with copper fungicide and insecticide.
Limitations
The survival rate is very low 40 - 50 % under field conditions.
The chances of enhancement and spread of pests and diseases.
It is difficult laborious and need technical skill.
Tansplanting
Transplanting in the month of march-april is preferable with distance of 20 ft x 20 ft , 24 ft x 24 ft in a pit of 3 ft x 3 ft.
At the time of transplanting the pit should be filled with 25kg.fym, 2kg castor cake, dusting with methyl parathion or chlorpyriphos
The bole portion of the offshoot should be underground and irrigate properly.
Care should be taken water should not enter the crown portion of the offshoot.
Post Transplanting Care
Transplanted offshoots should not be disturbed.
It should be protected from extreme heat, cold and wind (by covering with date leaves or green net).
Mild irrigation should be-provided daily up to 5-6 weeks of transplanting.
Technological Impact Assessment
The offshoot from tissue culture ‘ Elite ‘ was selected from our farm for demonstration. The fruit of Elite is red in colour with rain tolerance and the palm is having profuse off shooting behavior. The demonstration was laid in an one acre area by 24 ft x 24 ft spacing.