Performance of Lac Cultivation on Kusum (Schleichera oleosa) Tree in Non Traditional Areas of Karnataka State

Lac is a commercial crop produced by lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr) (Homoptera: Tachardiidae) as a protective covering on its body and is exploited mainly for resin, dye and wax. Lac cultivation is mainly concentrated in Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal states of India. Karnataka being non-traditional area, efforts were initiated in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Ranchi, to introduce kusmi strain lac. KVK Uttara Kannada, Sirsi studied the performance of lac cultivation on Kusum tree, Schleichera oleosa for a period of three years. Results showed that yield levels were slightly higher in rainy season crop compared to winter season.