General Information :

• Annatto is a small but fairly fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree growing from 2 - 8 meters tall. 

Distribution :

• Distributed in tropical parts of India

Habitat : Tropical and Deciduous forest.

Soil : Almost all soil types, with a preference for well-drained, neutral and slightly alkaline soils

Altitude :Up to 2000 m (MSL)

Rainfall :1250-2000 mm

Temperature : 20-26 deg C

Terrain : Plain /gentle slopes

Tree Characteristics :

• Sensitive to frost and moderately drought resistant

Habit : Evergreen tree

Natural Regeneration :

• Natural regeneration by seeds under favorable conditions.

Artificial Regeneration :

• Propagated by Nursery raised seedlings and vegetative cuttings.

Seed collection and Storage :

• The plant is usually grown from seed taken from freshly gathered ripe pods, which germinate better than dry ones.
• Mature seeds, taken directly from fresh fruits, 
• Germinate readily in 7 - 10 days under moist condition.

Seed Treatment :

• Cold water soaking for 24 hours.

Nursery Technique :

• Best time for raising the nursery is during April-May months. 
• The plant can be propagated by seeds or through stem cuttings.
• Seedlings are raised in polythene bags containing a mixture of soil, sand and FYM (2:1:1) 
• Seeds germinate in about 8-10 days 
• Seedlings are transplanted when they are 20 cm tall.

Plantation technique :

• Pits of size 30 cm3 are dug in early March at a spacing of 4.5 m x 4.5 m. 
• They are filled with a mixture of soil and compost before the onset of monsoon. 
• One year old healthy seedlings are planted in the main field at the onset of rain

Care & Disease Control :

• Pits are watered immediately after planting.
• Regular irrigation depending on the climate is necessary for good growth and yield of the crop.

Irrigation :

• For proper growth and survival it is necessary to give one or two waterings after planting. This is specifically required in arid regions.
• Irrigation after planting is not a prerequisite in areas having sufficient soil moisture and precipitation.
• Higher survival rate and better rate of growth is reported when soil and water conservation measures are also adopted.

Recommended Harvest :

•  8 to 10 years

Yield :

• A three year old plant on an average may yield about 0.5 to 1.0 kg of seeds per tree per year. 
• The maximum yield is obtained from 4 to 8 years age plantation.
• Seed yield may be around 250 kg to 500 kg per hectare per year from 4 year old plantation.

Agro Forestory :

• B. orellana has been successfully cultivated with young citrus groves.

Major uses :

• The extract from the pigment coating the seeds yields a harmless, non-carcinogenic dye, used as colorings for food, especially dairy products.
• This dye was also used by Amerindians as war paint and was used in dying wool, cotton and silk, but the color rapidly fades when exposed to light and air.
• The dye obtained from the seed is used in manufacturing cosmetics.

Market details :

• Bixa dye cost approximately Rs.1000 - 1500/Kg*

*Subject to change according to market demands