Abstract

Talavirichan Cholam (Sorghum roxburghii, var. hians. Stapf) is a major variety of cultivated cholam in Madras State, occupying over five lakhs of acres in the districts of North Arcot, South Arcot, Salem, Chingleput and portions of Tiruchirapalli and Coimbatore. Snowden (1936) has taxonomically classified this variety as Sorghum roxburghii under sub-series Guineensia. This is mainly a grain crop and the plants grow up to a height of 14 feet with a duration of about five months. The most distinguishing feature of this type is the streaming branches of the earhead. The colour of the grain is white but a further differentiation into chalky white and pearly white is also possible (Rangaswamy Ayyangar et al 1934). White pearly grains are preferred for food and also best suited for popping (Rangaswamy Ayyangar and Sankara Ayyar 1936). Three strains of Talaivirichan Cholam viz., Co. 2, Co. 3 and Co. 12 evolved at the Millets, Breeding Station, Coimbatore, are under distribution. Since these did not come up well in North Arcot tract, improvement work for the evolution of a high yielding strain was taken up since 1949, at the Regional Millet Station, Tiruppathur, which is the central place of the tract.

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