coconut cultivation
Coconut
is a long – term crop and if properly cared it expected to be
productive for over 60 years. Therefore, taking appropriate decision at
the time of establishing a new plantation is very crucial. Adhering to
an optimally suited planting density with distances fitting to either
mono or multiple cropping, selection of planting material adapted to the
soil and climate, appropriate planting and care after planting are
essential factors requiring the attention of the grower at the time of
establishment. Most coconut growers, especially small holders are often
not thoughtful about these crucial factors that determine the
establishment of a uniform and a highly productive plantation.
Planting Seedlings
When filling the planting holes arrange two layers of husk Or coir dust at the bottom of the planting hole ( picture 7 & 8 ) . Fill the hole with topsoil mixed with 1 kg dolomite, organic manure ( 5 kg wood ash or 10kg dry cow dung or 5 kg goat dung ) and 1 kg young palm mixture. ( Composition is given below )
Planting Seedlings
When filling the planting holes arrange two layers of husk Or coir dust at the bottom of the planting hole ( picture 7 & 8 ) . Fill the hole with topsoil mixed with 1 kg dolomite, organic manure ( 5 kg wood ash or 10kg dry cow dung or 5 kg goat dung ) and 1 kg young palm mixture. ( Composition is given below )
 ntermediate Zones
|
| Wet and intermediate zone |
Dry Zone
|
||
Fertilizer
|
Amount (g)
|
Fertilizer
|
Amount (g)
|
Urea
|
250
|
Urea
|
250
|
Eppawela Rock Phosphate
|
750
|
Eppawela Rock Phosphate
|
500
|
Muriate of potash
|
250
|
Muriate of potash
|
250
|
Young Palm Mixture
The planting hole should be filled with the above mixtures up to 20 cm below the ground level. But in case of lands with poorly drained soils, the planting hole should be filled up to the ground level with the above mixture. If the soil is frequently under water logged conditions during the rainy season planting holes should be raised a little above the ground level. When seedlings are ransplanted ensure that seed nut of the seeding is not buried deeper in the above soil mixture. Buried collar region of the seeding leads to rotting during heavy rainy days.
When
poly-bagged seedlings are used for field planting, first cut and
remove the bottom of the poly bag with a knife. Then place the
bottomless poly-bagged seeding in the center of the above prepared
hole after removing the soil to accommodate the poly bag in the soil
mixture. Finally lift and remove the poly bag carefully without
disturbing the soil in the poly bag and roots of the seeding. In areas
where black beetle damage is high poly bag may be lift half way and
tied it up to the base of seeding to cover the collar region of
seeding (picture 9) and made a few holes on the poly bag to facilitate
the aeration. This poly bag should be removed after 3-4 months from
planting.
However
in poorly drained soils the tying of poly bag around the base may
increase the of collar rot during rainy season. In such situation
remove the poly bag completely from the collar region to facilitate the
direct direct exposure to sunlight.
It
is advisable to carryout preventive treatment against possible termite
attack. This is done by immersing the nut of the seeding for a few
minutes with one of the following insecticide solution. (In the case of
poly bagged seeding drench around with 1 liter of below solutions for
one seeding after field planting)
Time of Planing
Seeding should be planted with the onset of rains but towards the end of rainy season in excessively water logging areas. Planting with the rains enables the seeding for root development before the dry season . Planting should be planned in Yala season for the wet zone and Maha season for the dry zone. It is advisable to dig the holes and fill them during the inter-monsoonal periods. Rows of the coconut should be in east-west direction when squire or rectangular planting is adapted. Irrigating the seedling during dry season and soil moisture conservation practices will help proper growth of seeding.
Infilling
At the end of the 1st Year after planting, all weak seeding should be removed and vacancies should be filled in order to get a uniform plantation. It is recommended that infilling should be complete before the end of 5 years from the date of planting.
irrigation
Coconut
is mainly a rain fed crop in Sri Lanka. Two annual monsoon rains (May-
June and October- November) have often resulted in 3-6 months or more
rain-free (drought) periods during the year. During the monsoon rains,
soil profile may partially or fully recharge to Field Capacity
(wet/moist) condition. Water stored in the Effective Root Zone, is used
by the coconut.
Research conducted at the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka show
that the average water use of an Adult Coconut palm with 30-40 leaves is
about 50 liters per day: range 20-160 liters per day, while a coconut
seedling with 10-15 leaves may transpire about 10 liters per day (range
5-15 liters/seedling/day) Amount of water use depends on the canopy and
root parameters, soil water availability and Relative humidity,
temperature, wind, Radiation, etc.
Hence in a sandy soil the available soil water in the Effective Root
System of an adult coconut palm may be 1000-4000 liters, which is
sufficient for 20-80 days. Soil water storage in the coconut root system
of loamy soil is about 2000-4000 liters, which may be adequate for
40-160 days. Thus a coconut palm may suffer from water deficit after a
period of 20-160 days, when the available soil water in its effective
root system, is exhausted due to the transpiration by palm, weeds and
evaporation from exposed soil surface.
Soil water conservation techniques such as mulching, cover crops, coir
dust/husk pits, and contour hedges/terraces/bunds/drains could enhance
the rainfall acceptability/infiltration resulting in the increase in
soil water storage capacity. Hence these practices could only postpone
the water deficit period (drought effect) by about 2-8 week.
Irrigation Rate
depends on soil parameters (water holding capacity/texture/depth
/infiltration-lateral and vertical) and the effective root system of the
plant.
Irrigation frequency
depends on the evapotranpiration of the plant/soil system/canopy/root
system/atmospheric evaporative demand/relative
humidity/temperature/wind/etc
Suitability of an irrigation system depends on
1 Plantation type (large/small, age, mono/intercrop….)
2 Water resources (surface, deep aquifer, quantity, quality…)
3 Soil landscape (topography, soil texture and depth….)
4 Economics and resources (capital, maintenance, labor, efficiency….)
Decrease
in the production of female flowers, reduce nut setting, increase
button nut shedding, increase immature nut fall, reduce nut size, reduce
nut production ,reduce copra out-turn, dropping /wilting of leaves, and
death of coconut seedlings/palms are the result of water deficit during
prolong rain free periods. Coconut yields of 4500-8000 nuts/ac/yr or
more have been achieved in several well managed coconut states even
under rain fed conditions. In most states are at least few (10%) palms
yielding more than 80 nuts/palm/yr even during the drought.
Studies show that about 2/3 of the potential coconut production is
generally lost due to either poor nut setting or immature nut fall as a
result of water deficit conditions. A coconut palm yielding 80-120
nuts/palm/yr in good rainy years may reduce its yield to 40 nuts/palm/yr
or less after a drought period. But with appropriate supplementary
irrigation, the coconut yield could be maintained at a stable high yield
of 100-140 nuts/palm/yr or more, continuously, irrespective of the
drought. Research conducted at the coconut research institute and
elsewhere has shown that the supplementary irrigation of coconut
increases nut yield by 30-60% and copra yield by 54% or more. Hence
supplementary irrigation could increase the coconut yield.
fertilizing
At
present, the fertility levels of the most of the coconut growing soils
have been declined Specially the coconut lands in the coconut triangle
where the higher proportion of national yield come from. The inherence
capacity to supply adequate nutrients to coconut palms in degraded soils
very low or poor Therefore nut production in such soils reported to be
very low. improper soil and nutrient management with high exploitation
leading to further soil degradation and resulting poor nut production in
the existing lands. Therefore proper Soil and nutrient management
system should be adapted especially for the coconut in long term as far
as the nut yield and the sustainability is concerned.
Coconut
palm being a perennial with a life span of 60 years or more requires a
regular supply of nutrients plant nutrients to sustain its growth and
yield in its production period it is revealed that 45% of the variation
in yield influence by nutrients. In coconut growing soils, considerable
amount of nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg)
are depleted from the soil, as a result of continuous removal of Nut and
other parts of the palm. In Sri Lankan soils the average palm yielding
50 nut7500nut/ hectare/year) nuts/palm/year is of the order of 765g of N
(Urea equivalent of 1663g) 140g of P2O5 (Eppawala Rock phosphate equivalent of 475g) 883g of K2O
(muriate of potash equitant of 1475g) and 219g Mg (Dolomite equivalent
of 1100g. In that contest the relative magnitude of nutrients removed by
the palms is in the priority order K>N>Mg>P. The above
estimate annual depletion of nutrients is a very valuable guide for
determining fertilizer requirement of the palm.
There are Two major types of Coconut research institute recommended adult palm mixtures in the market APM (W) and APM(D).
APM (W) is recommended to wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka where as APM(D) is recommended to Dry zone of Sri Lanka. APM(D) mixture is available in two form of which APM(D) -Triple super phosphate based and APM(D) -Imported rock phosphate based
1 APM(W)
Adult palm mixture (11. 8. 29) is recommended for bearing palms in the wet and intermediate zones. The appropriate composition is 11%-N. 8% - P2O5. 29% -K2O
Urea 8 parts by weight
Imported Rock Phosphate 9 parts by weight
Miurate of potash 16 parts by weight
2. APM(D)- Imported rock phosphate based
Adult palm mixture (12. 6. 32) is recommended for bearing palms in the wet and intermediate zones. The appropriate composition is 12%-N. 6%- P2O5. 32% -K2O
Urea 8 parts by weight
Imported Rock Phosphate 6 parts by weight
Miurate of potash 16 parts by weight
APM(D)- Triple super phosphate based
Adult palm mixture (13. 7. 34) is recommended for bearing palms in the wet and intermediate zones. The appropriate composition is 13%-N. 7%- P2O5. 34% -K2O
Urea 8 parts by weight
Imported Rock Phosphate 4 parts by weight
Miurate of potash 216parts by weight
Straight fertilizer for adult palms
Wet and intermediate zone |
Dry zone |
||
Fertilizer type
|
Amount/grams/palm
|
Fertilizer type
|
Amount/grams/palm
|
Urea
|
800g
|
Urea
|
800g
|
Eppawala Rock Phosphate
|
900g
|
Imported Rock Phosphate
|
600g
|
OR |
|||
Triple super phosphate
|
400g
|
||
Miurate of Potash
|
1600g
|
Miurate of Potash
|
1600g
|
Dolomite
|
1000g
|
Dolomite
|
1000g
|
Fertilizer mixtures for adult palm
Quantity/Kgs/Palm |
|||
APM(W)
|
APM(D) -IRP Based
|
APM(D) TSP B ased
|
Dolomite
|
3.3
|
3.0
|
2.8
|
1.0
|
- It is recommended to apply fertilizer for young palms in every 6 month up to bearing
- The fertilizers are added to the soil at the presence soil moisture to increase the fertilizer use efficiency. (Avoid dry spells and rainy seasons )
- Ensure that all weeds in manure cycle are removed
- Broadcast the correct dosage of fertilizer and dolomite evenly over the manure cycle
- Mix the fertilizer with soil to minimize losses, thereby increase the efficiency of fertilizer
- Irrigate the palm and apply a mulch over the manure cycle
- The manure cycle is varied with age of the young palms (manure cycle is the area where the fertilizers are broadcast and as measurement, it is a circular area from the base of the plant )
Age of the palm
|
Radius of the Manure cycle
|
1 year
|
1 feet
|
2 years
|
2 feet
|
3 years
|
3 feet
|
4 years
|
4 feet
|
5 years
|
5 feet
|
Continuous
application of fertilizers or organic manure will ensure continuous
supply of macro and micro nutrients required by the palm for better
growth and production. On the other hand fertilizer application is one
of the effective and convenient methods of increasing coconut
productivity in the short-term. On poor lateritic soils in the wet
zone as much as 150% increase in yield could be achieved by fertilizer
application. And in rich loamy soils in the intermediate zone, at least
20-40% increase in yield could be expected. The total response to
fertilizer application may be evidence only after 3-3 ½ years
after application, which corresponds with the period of flower
initiation to nut maturity. But substantial yield increase could be
observed one year after fertilizer application Therefore it is a very
effective yield gaining input that can be used to overcome the present
deficit of coconut production in Sri Lanka. In comparison, the
present fertilizer usage in coconut in Sri Lanka is only 17% out of
total land extent under coconut. The national nut production can be
increase by adapting a proper fertilizer application in entire country.
It can be easily implemented as the government provides the fertilizer
for coconut at low price.
Types of fertilizers used in coconut
- Chemical fertilizers
- Organic manure
Chemical fertilizers
Type of chemical fertilizers and their nutrient content are illustrated bellow
Type of chemical fertilizers and their nutrient content are illustrated bellow
Type of fertilizers
|
Chemical formula
|
N –content %
|
Nitrogen fertilizers
|
||
Urea
|
CO(NH)2
|
46
|
Ammonium Sulphate
|
(NH4)SO4
|
21
|
Phosphorus fertilizers
|
Chemical formula
|
P2O5 –content %
|
Eppawala Rock Phosphate
|
3Ca(PO4)2F.Cl.OH-
|
30
|
Imported Rock Phosphate
|
3Ca(PO4)2 F.Cl.OH-
|
|
Triple Super Phosphate
|
||
Potassium fertilizers
|
Chemical formula
|
K2O –content %
|
Miurate of Potash
|
KCl
|
60
|
Magnesium fertilizers
|
Chemical formula
|
MgO –content %
|
Dolomite
|
CaCO3 MgCO3
|
20
|
Kieserite
|
MgCO3 H2O
|
24
|
Fertilizer Mixtures
- General coconut fertilizer mixtures
- Specific coconut fertilizer mixtures
1. General coconut fertilizer mixtures
There are two types of Coconut research institute recommended mixtures for coconut under this category
a) Young palm Mixture (YPM)
Young palm mixture is again divided in two categories
i. Young palm mixture for Wet and Intermediate Zone (YPM-W)
ii. Young palm mixture for Dry Zone (YPM-D)
b) Adult palm mixture(APM)
Adult palm mixture is again divided in two categories
i. Adult palm mixture for Wet and Intermediate Zone (APM-W)
ii. Adult palm mixture for Dry Zone (APM-D)
2. Specific coconut fertilizer mixtures
DFR
Young palm mixture for Wet and Intermediate Zone (YPM-W)
Young palm mixture (11.16.14) is recommended for coconut seedling in wet and intermediate zones at the time of planting and for young palm until the flowing stage. The appropriate composition is 11% N, 16%P2O5. 14% K2O
Urea 2 parts by weight
Eppawala Rock Phosphate 4.5 parts by weight
Miurate of potash 2 parts by weight
Young palm mixture for Dry Zone (YPM-D)
Young palm mixture (13.12.17) is recommended for coconut seedling in dry zones at the time of planting and for young palm until the flowing stage. The appropriate composition is 13% N, 12%P2O5.17% K2O
Urea 2 parts by weight
Imported Rock Phosphate 3 parts by weight
Miurate of potash 2 parts by weight
Eppawala Rock Phosphate 4.5 parts by weight
Miurate of potash 2 parts by weight
Young palm mixture for Dry Zone (YPM-D)
Young palm mixture (13.12.17) is recommended for coconut seedling in dry zones at the time of planting and for young palm until the flowing stage. The appropriate composition is 13% N, 12%P2O5.17% K2O
Urea 2 parts by weight
Imported Rock Phosphate 3 parts by weight
Miurate of potash 2 parts by weight
Fertilizer for young palms
It is very important to understand that adequate fertilizer application for young palm during the pre- bearing stage has a strong influence in sustaining the vigorous growth and production of coconut in subsequent years. Young palms will commence bearing in about 5 years after transplanting in the field under good management system. It will take another one or two years to start producing regular crop.
Basal dressing (at the time of planting)
Either Straight fertilizers or young palm mixtures can be used as basal dressing depending upon the agro ecological zones
1. Straight fertilizer - recommendations
Wet and intermediate zone
|
Dry zone
|
||
Fertilizer
|
Amount
|
fertilizer
|
Amount
|
Urea
|
250g
|
Urea
|
250g
|
Eppawala Rock Phosphate
|
750g
|
Imported Rock Phosphate
|
750g
|
Miurate of Potash
|
250g
|
OR
|
|
Dolomite
|
1000g
|
Triple phosphate
|
300g
|
Miurate of Potash
|
250g
|
||
Dolomite
|
1000g
|
||
nutritional requirement of coconut palm
It
is very important to understand that the nutrient requirement of young
coconut palms. As young palms are in their vegetative phase, they need
more nitrogen and phosphorus for their growth .where as adult palms
require more of potassium than other nutrient in case nut production
In
comparison nutrients requirement by the mature palms potassium has been
found to be the most dominant followed by magnesium, nitrogen and
phosphorus. Both nitrogen and phosphorus influence production of female
flowers while potassium is the most dominant nutrient responsible for
carbohydrate translocation and assimilation and finally improving nut
setting and copra out turn. It is also believe that potassium regulates
water economy of the palm by promoting the development of a larger root
system and increasing water uptake. Thereby it influence certain amount
of drought resistance to the palm. Immature nut falls, bunch and coconut
frond breakage are also reduced by potassium. Magnesium is very
important as a constituent of chlorophyll thereby its sufficiency or
deficiency is affected the final yield.
In
general it is very important to understand that application of balance
nutrient dosage to the coconut palm since there are interactions between
nutrients. There is a positive interaction between Nitrogen and
phosphorus, where as a negative interaction between Potassium and
magnesium
| Method of fertilizer application at the time of planting |
M
ix the recommended fertilizer dosage and the dolomite (straight
fertilizer or mixtures) with the top soil before seedling
establishment. At the same time add 10kg of organic manure and mix
with top soil for better seedling growth ( The detail procedure for
seedling establishment describe in section 1 )
Top dressing –recommendations for young palmsEither Straight fertilizers or young palm mixtures can be used as top dressing depending upon the agro ecological zones
1. Straight fertilizer – recommendations for young palms
Straight fertilizer recommendations for young palm in wet and intermediate zones are Illustrated below
Age after transplanting
|
||||||||
Fertilizer (g)
|
6 month
|
1 Years
|
1½ Years
|
2 Years
|
2½ Years
|
3 Years
|
3½ Years
|
4 Years up to bearing
|
Urea
|
190
|
235
|
235
|
305
|
305
|
375
|
375
|
470
|
Eppawala Rock Phosphate
|
420
|
530
|
530
|
690
|
690
|
850
|
850
|
1060
|
Miurate of Potash
|
190
|
235
|
235
|
305
|
305
|
375
|
375
|
470
|
Dolomite
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
Note
Straight
fertilizer for young palm in Dry zones are illustrated below. Imported
rock phosphate or Triple super phosphate is used instead of Eppawla
rock Phosphate in young palms in dry zone of Sri Lanka.
Age after transplanting
|
||||||||
Fertilizer (g)
|
6 month
|
1 Years
|
1½ Years
|
2 Years
|
2½ Years
|
3 Years
|
3½ Years
|
4 Years up to bearing
|
Urea
|
190
|
235
|
235
|
305
|
305
|
375
|
375
|
470
|
Imported Rock Phosphate
|
270
|
330
|
330
|
490
|
490
|
600
|
600
|
660
|
Miurate of Potash
|
190
|
235
|
235
|
305
|
305
|
375
|
375
|
470
|
Dolomite
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
Age of the palm
|
Quantity of fertilizer (Mixture)
|
||||
YPM(W)
Wet and intermediate Zone
|
YPM(D)
IRP -Based
Dry Zone
|
YPM(D)
TSP -Based
Dry Zone
|
Dolomite
|
||
6 Month
|
800
|
650
|
540
|
500
|
|
12 Month
|
1000
|
800
|
670
|
500
|
|
16 Month
|
1000
|
800
|
670
|
500
|
|
24 Month
|
1300
|
1100
|
910
|
500
|
|
30 Month
|
1300
|
1100
|
910
|
500
|
|
36 Month
|
1600
|
1350
|
1110
|
500
|
|
42 Month
|
1600
|
1350
|
1110
|
500
|
|
4 years up to bearing
|
2000
|
1600
|
1340
| ||
Red Palm Weevil (rhynchophorus ferrogineus)
presently most serious pest of coconut in all coconut growing areas in
the country. Generally 3-15 yr old palms are susceptible to pest attack.
Damage:
Adults females are lays eggs on the sap oozing injurious on the trunk.
Injurious can be caused by
1. Knife incisions
2. Farm implements
3. Wind / Black Beetle Damage
4. Natural fractures of the base
5. Fractures of the petiole
Damage done by larve of the pest feeding on soft tissues inside the trunk and crown region at the end infested crown or stem are fallen.
In early stages, Present of the grubs can be suspected by
1. Holes on the stem with chewed fibrous materials
2. Secretion of the Reddish Brown viscous liquid from the holes
3. Crunching nowise of the larve feeding inside the trunk
4. Yellowing and withering of leaves in the bud and slanting of the terminal bud
Control measures
Palms destroyed by the Red palm weevil should be cut spilt and burnt.
Palms destroyed by the Red palm weevil should be cut spilt and burnt.
Repeat application of the used engine oil on fresh wood to repel adults from laying eggs.
Chemical control:
Application of the Monocotopus 60 by using trunk injection method.
Dosage : 20 Ml – 4 palms (girth of the trunk less than 100 cm)
40 Ml – Both side application (more than 100)
Trapping the insect
Trapping the insect using by pheromone trap.
Recommended trap density is 2 – 3 trap per Ac
