Coconut, Naral

Cocos, nucifera L.

1. Whether rainfed or irrigated – Irrigated, but a few plantations exist rainfed.
2. Climatic conditions – Hot and humid climate, with well distributed rainfall, however it also fares well under hot and dry climate with perennial source of irrigation. Extreme hot, cold and dry climate is not favourable for high yields.
3. Method of planting/sowing – Nursery raised one year old seedlings are planted in permanent locations – square method of layout is praciced on levelled lands and contour method on slopy location.
4. Distance between plants and rows – 7.5 X 7.5m both ways. It could be reduced to 6m. while planting along broad bunds, water channels and fencing.
5. Depth of sowing/planting – The seednut is to be burried to the depth of 30-45cm below soil surface in the planting pit.

Type of soil, upland low land . Coastal sandy soil and peat soil, rich with humus are best suited. Interior red and upland (Varkas) soils supplement with organic matter could also be utilized. Soil depth (at least one metre) and good drainage are essential.

Average productive period is about sixty years except hybrid varieties

Released by university (as per duration)

Pratap and Banawali (West coast tall)

Recommended – T x D, Laxdweep ordinary (Chandrakalpa), Philippines ordinary. Orange dwarf.

Remove stubbles, bolders; cutting and filling be done on undulating pockets; plant the wind breakers all along the border; layout the plantation site, dig the pits of 1x1x1m at specified spacing; allow the exposed pit to dry in intense sun and burn with dry grass. Fill in with FYM + soil + phosphatic fertilizer + insecticidal dust.

At the onset of monsoon when showers become stable; in low lying area planting could be delayed. Seedling planted in the centre of pit to collar depth and supported with firm stakes. The soil around should be well pressed. No water lodging tolerable.

Erect temporary shade against intense sun.

Weed removed from time to time.

Spice crop in "Lakhi Baug" pattern.

Apply additional dose of nutrition and irrigation.

Earthing up; repair of ring basins; water channel or irrigation system; replacement of mulches.

Depends upon crop stage, season, soil type irrigation system etc. Prebearing – 6-7 day interval – winter; 3-4 day interval – summer, bearing – 5-10 days interval. A full grown palm requires 45 – 60 litres / day. Drip irrigation is an efficient method of irrigation.

only from the selected mother palms; bold rise, well matured and filled with nutwater.

Raw method in well prepared beds measuring one metre breadth and convenient length, richly supplied with organic matter; nuts buried vertically 15 cm below soil layer. Apply juicious and timely irrigation throughout nursery tenure. Apply 1% Bordeux or 02% Zineb for control of leaf blight.

Early germinated having 5 to 6 well differentiated dark green and diseases free leaves; short and short coller region and of 9 to 12 month age are selected.

175 seedling are accomodated.

Rhinocerous bettle – Disturbs young apical bud, the tender leaves shown arrow like, triangular cut

Tunel tender fruits causing nut drop

Poison baits of 1:50 Z in K phosphoid: Wheat flour mixture. Nailing plain metal sheet of 40 cms. width around 2 m. stem height.

Seedlings and palms affected. The tender and active growing point gets rotten.

It is natural (Physiological) or fungal.

One per cent Bordeaux

Red brown spot coalise and impart burnt appearance to entire leaf. seedling and palms are affected.

One per cent Zineb

Stem bleeding of honey like exudate leading to death of palms

Removal affected bark, apply Bordeaux mixture and finally point with coal tat.

Organic and phosphet in the month of June and nitrogen and potash splitted equally in June, Sept and February, apply sufficient irrigation in dry periods.

30 cms away from the bole of the palm spreading and well mixing in the soil. Increase periferial distance by 30 cms yearly and finally 1.5 to 1.8m away from bole.

For tender nut water – 7 to 8 months; copra and seed nut – 10 months on wards.

Depends upon soil conditions, climate and variety

150/palm , Round the year harvesting

Every part of plants is useful. It is called "KALPAVRUKSHA", the tree of heaven.