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Plantation - Coconut
Plantation - Coconut
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Coconut Handbook
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Chapters
1.Introduction
2.Nutritional and Health Benefits
3.Composition
4.Plantation
Varieties
Agronomic characteristics of coconut production
Agroecology - conditons required for growth
Methods commonly used to prevent and treat pests and diseases
Chapter 4
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Plantation
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Under suitable climate, rainfall and environmental conditions, coconuts can germinate and grow into coconut palms and start fruiting
after three years. This chapter is an introduction to the basics of cultivating coconut palms.
Figure 4.1
Different varieties of
coconut trees
Sources:
http://www.newtonsapple.org.u
common-coconut/
VARIETIES
Coconut palms can be classified according to the size and stature of the palm, and are referred to as Talls and Dwarfs. They are
also monoecious. In other words, they consist of male and female flowers on the same inflorescence (spadix) that develops within a
woody spathe. Depending on the variety of the coconut trees, the male and female flowers develop at same or different times. As
the coconut tree is propagated by seed, they are subjected to some variations which can be distinguished in the trees, fruits and
leaves. As such, there are hundreds of vernacular names for the coconut types (Figure 4.1).
Tall coconut palms have longer economic lives than Dwarf trees, typically about 60-80 years, and can live up to 100 years old under
favourable conditions. They also have larger fronds than Dwarf trees, so fewer Tall coconut trees can be planted per hectare of land.
Tall coconut palms are also fairly resistant to diseases and pests, except some virus diseases, and thrive under different soil
conditions. After six to eight years of planting, Tall coconut palms will begin to bear fruits.
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Although Tall coconut trees are usually the choice for commercial planting, Dwarf varieties can be found in The Philippines,
Malaysia and Indonesia where there is greater control over soil conditions, and the smaller stature allows for higher density
planting.
Dwarf coconut palms are mostly self-pollinated, and have fewer variations compared to Tall varieties. They are classified by the
colour of the coconut fruits produced. As the name suggests, Dwarf coconut palms are smaller in stature than Tall varieties.
Dwarf coconut palms have shorter economic lives than Tall palms and only live up to 60 years old. With smaller fronds, more Dwarf
coconut trees can be planted per hectare of land. Compared to Tall coconut trees, Dwarf varieties cannot adapt as well to different
soil conditions, and are more susceptible to diseases, although they do show good resistance to some virus diseases. However,
they begin to bear fruits earlier, after only three years of planting. At about 10 years old, they come into regular fruiting. Similar to
Tall varieties, the bigger the coconuts, the lesser number of fruits found per bunch.
The hybrid crosses between Dwarf and Tall varieties have exhibited marked hybrid vigour by
having the advantages found in both palms. As such, high yielding hybrid coconut trees are
resistant to environmental stress, including drought and diseases. They also bear fruits after
three to four years of planting. Compared to Dwarf and Tall varieties, hybrid coconut palms
have more nut yields and higher copra production (Figure 4.2). The copra and oil produced are
Figure 4.2
also of better quality.
A high yielding coconut palm
Photo courtesy of Asian and
Pacific Coconut Community
AGRONOMIC (APCC)
CHARACTERISTICS OF
COCONUT PRODUCTION
LIFE CYCLE OF A COCONUT
The agronomic characteristics of coconut production can be mapped out by the life cycle of a coconut (Figure 4.3).
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Figure 4.3
Life cycle of a coconut
Usually, only 30-40% of the fruits are carried to full term, while most are aborted within three months of pollination. The palm
produces 12-15 inflorescences (spadices) each year at fairly regular intervals. This means that, every month, a new bunch of
coconuts are formed. They continue to grow on the coconut tree until they are ready for harvest, or drop from the tree for
propagation and germination. However the number of female and male flowers per spadix varies, depending on the variety of the
coconut tree.
Dwarf and some Tall varieties, such as the Malayan Tall, germinate while still on the palm. Others like the West African Tall and
most Pacific coconut populations can take up to eight weeks to germinate.
Generally, 90% of seed fruits will germinate. The remaining 10% is usually discarded, failing to germinate due to the pathogenic
infection of the seed interior caused by the fracture of the shell, after sprouting in the first three months.
During germination, the coconut haustorium, starts to develop. It is a sweet, spongy mass (cotyledon) which dissolves and absorbs
the endosperm. As it develops, the haustorium depletes both the coconut water and kernel, which facilitates root and shoot growth
in a germinating coconut (Figure 4.4). Under the right conditions, this germinated coconut will grow into a seedling (Figure 4.5).
Scientific and technological advances now allow for in-vitro collection of the coconut embryo, which can be employed in the
exchange of plant materials across countries for propagation and breeding purposes (Engelmann et al., 2011).
After pollination, seed nuts usually take 12 months to ripen, around which time they start to fall
from the trees. However, when the seed nuts are collected by picking off the ground, the
identity of the female parent is difficult to establish. As such, the fruit is usually picked directly
from the palm, so that the female parent can be identified for seed nut production.
Figure 4.4
Seed nuts should be selected from a block of uniform palms producing an average of at least Germination of a mature coconut
1,500 nuts per ha every 45 days. This is equivalent to an annual 2.8 tons of copra per ha. into a coconut seedling
Within this block, the selected mother palms should have at least 40-50 full-sized nuts, anytime Photo courtesy of Asian and
of the year under ordinary farm conditions (Magat, 1999). Pacific Coconut Community
(APCC)
Seed nut storage
Coconuts have no dormancy period between seed nut harvesting and germination. Therefore, it
is not advisable to store fruits over extended periods of time. For varieties with cultivars that
germinate early, such as Malayan Talls, immediate planting with no storage period is advisable.
For varieties which are slower germinators, such as West African Talls and most Polynesian
types, seed nuts may be stored for up to a month with no ill effects, as long as the coconut
water in the cavity does not dry out. Alternatively, seed nuts may be picked when they are 11
months old and stored in a dry cool place for longer time periods. To hasten germination,
partially or completely brown seed nuts can be stored in a ventilated or open shed for three to
four weeks.
In the first stage, the germination bed allows seed nut selection based on the speed of
germination (Figure 4.7). The early germinators are usually the best performers, while the Figure 4.5
slowest germinators (about 20-30% from the total seed nuts) are discarded. Coconut seedlings being
prepared for propagation and
In the second stage of the nursery, seedlings are grown to an acceptable size for out-planting. planting to grow into a coconut
Those which display abnormal attributes are culled. Here, seed nuts are laid flat in rows, with tree
two- thirds of the nut buried in coarse soil. Upon germination, nuts are pried out, trimmed of Photo courtesy of Asian and
exposed roots, and planted back in the field. Pacific Coconut Community
(APCC)
Figure 4.7
Coconut seedlings
laid out for
selection
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Transplanting
The best time to transplant seedlings is at the onset of the rainy season. Seedlings should be 8-
10 months old. Eight month old transplants give a better idea of their general growth and
development. Differences in vigour are best seen when the seedlings are still too young to be
moved, with the majority of their leaves still succulent.
Before transplanting, each hold should be applied with fertilizers mixed with soil. In addition, a
small amount of organic matter like coconut husks can be placed at the bottom of the hole and
covered with soil, leaving about one-third free for the seedling nut to ‘sit’.
Figure 4.6
For polybagged seedlings, the polybags are first removed, then the seedling is transplanted. A coconut nursery
The hold should be covered with loose topsoil, slightly firmed at the base of the crown. The top Photo courtesy of Asian and
of the nut must be about 5-8 cm below the ground level. Deep planting might suffocate the bud, Pacific Coconut Community
while the shallow planting might cause the planting material to bend, sway or lean during heavy (APCC)
rains and windy days. A slight depression towards the base of the crown must be provided to
trap rainwater (Santos et al., 1995).
For propagation by coconut embryo culture, two coconut embryos in vitro collecting protocols have been established. One consists
of storing the disinfected embryos, while the other includes in vitro inoculation of the embryos in the field.
In the former, a cylinder of solid endosperm containing the embryo is removed and stored in a potassium chloride solution for
transporting to a laboratory, where the cylinders are disinfected again and the embryos extracted. These are placed in a solid
embryo culture medium in a culture tube, and inoculated in vitro under sterile conditions.
In the latter, in vitro inoculation of the embryos in the field follow steps similar to storing disinfected embryos. However, instead of
being stored in potassium chloride solution, the cylinder of endosperm is directly placed in a Petri dish. The embryo is extracted on
the field inside a wooden box, which provides some protection from external contaminants. Then, it is rinsed again and inoculated to
a solid embryo culture medium. Next, the tube is transported to a laboratory where the embryo is allowed to grow on the culture
medium.
When the first true leaf is visible and the root system starts developing at least one root with ramifications, the plantlets are
transferred to light conditions. Thereafter, plantlets are transferred to large tubes containing fresh medium every 4-6 weeks.
When plantlets display 3-4 unfolded green leaves, they can go on to acclimatisation after 6-7 months of initial inoculation. At this
stage, plantlets are removed from culture tubes and planted in the greenhouse where soil nutrition and quality are controlled. After
two months, they are then transferred to plastic bags filled with forest leaf mould mixed with sand before they are planted in the
field.
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Coconut prefers fertile and adequately drained soils with a minimum depth of 75 cm, with high water-holding capacity (at least 30%
clay content). A wide range of soil textures (sand-clay) is suitable for coconut production. The palm tolerates soil pH from 5.0-8.0.
For optimum growth, a pH range of 5.5-6.5 is ideal (Magat, 1999).
RAINFALL
As one of the thirstiest denizens of the plant kingdom, water plays an indispensable role in the successful cultivation of coconut
palms. As such, it is strongly advised that coconuts be planted at the start of the rainy season, or under weather conditions with a
rainfall of 1500-2300 mm evenly distributed throughout the year.
For profitable cultivation, total rainfall of 1800-2000 mm or more per year or 150 mm per month (4-5 mm per day), evenly distributed
throughout the year is ideal (Magat, 1999). However, coconuts can still grow normally even with less rainfall, provided there is
enough soil moisture or a high water table with good drainage. This is because the coconut palm requires large quantities of water
to grow well, and water constitutes about 50% the total weight of fresh coconuts.
Generally, the coconut palm absorbs 24 litres of water each day, and the daily loss of moisture from mature coconut palm varies
from 28-74 litres per day. However, the coconut does not like being waterlogged, and coconut palms will not survive more than two
weeks of surface water logging.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
For normal growth and high yield, the relative humidity should be 80-90% and must not go below 60%. A persistently high humid
condition is not suitable for the palm as it favors the rapid spread of Phytophthora disease (fruit rot or bud rot), a fatal disease
commonly observed in yellow, red or orange dwarf varieties (Magat, 1999).
Ideally, the relative humidity for coconuts to thrive should be more than 60%. There should also be no prolonged soil water deficit
and excessive soil salinity. As coconuts are semi halophyte, they can grow in solutions where roots come into constant contact with
salt concentrations of up to 0.6%. Therefore, it is possible to temporarily use sea water for irrigation purposes without any ill effects.
However, an exclusive use of sea water is detrimental to the growth of coconuts, especially young trees.
FERTILIZERS
Salt fertilizer can also be applied to improve yields. In addition, they are environmentally-friendly.
Salt fertilizers accelerate crop growth and development, increase copra weight and the number of nuts per tree, as well as
minimise leaf spot damage.
The use of sodium chloride (NaCl) or common salt as fertilizer is a practical mean of increasing coconut production. Salt is the
cheapest and best source of chlorine to increase copra weight per nut and copra yield per tree. Generally, bearing palms are
fertilized annually in areas with almost uniform rainfall distribution. In areas with distinct wet and dry seasons, uneven rainfall
distribution, and those with sandy soils, fertilizers are best applied every six months. In a long- term study of salt application, 1.5 kg
NaCl/tree per year is considered to be most effective and economical to increase copra weight/nut and copra yield (per tree and per
hectare). Split application is done at the pre-bearing stages of palms, equivalent to 1-4 years. This practice helps reduce the loss of
fertilizer nutrients through leaching and run- off, which makes the use of fertilizer more effective (Magat, 1999).
to retarded root growth, delayed flowering, ripening of nuts and poor leaf health. In turn, these may result in smaller fruits produced
and lower overall yield.
PLANTING SYSTEMS
Monocrop or pure palms are planted at a density that allows the tips of horizontally held mature leaves to touch. The planting
density is about 7-8 m spacing for Dwarf palms, 8-8.5 m for hybrids and 9-10 m for Tall palms. This is because the crown size of Tall
palms are approximately 30% larger than hybrid and Dwarf varieties. This results in about 115-236 palms/ha under triangle system,
or 100-200 palms/ha under square system.
Considering the same distance of planting, the triangular system can accommodate 15% more palms than the square system. As a
guide, Table 4.1 shows the population and planting density under typical square and triangular systems of planting (Magat, 1999).
Table 4.1
Square and Triangular Systems and Their Planting Densities
8m x 8m 156 180
9m x 9m 134 143
10 m x 10 m 100 115
YIELDS
Yields vary from place to place. In general, commercial monocrop plantings out yield those in home gardens. Higher yields are
obtained when there are more inputs, such as proper management, maintenance and regular fertilization. Annual yields range from
15-20 kg of copra or, depending on the fruit size, 50-80 fruits per coconut palm.
COMPETITION
Coconut competes well with most plants for nutrients and water. However, its growth and yield slows in the presence of aggressive
grasses such as the Imperata cylindrical. Pasture grasses, including Ischaemum aristatum, are commonly grown under old palms
for cattle grazing. In general, coconuts grow poorly in shade. For instance, seedlings planted under older palms or other trees can
take up to 10 years to flower with low yields.
For maximum productivity, all weeds that compete with coconut for nutrients, water, or sunlight should be suppressed. However,
keeping the soil bare is not always a good management practice because apart from being laborious, it increases erosion risks and
nutrient loss, and causes humas. Therefore, weeding may be done manually or mechanically. Animals can also be allowed to feed
on them. However, it is better to leave about 1.0-1.5 m around the base of the palms uncropped. In addition, to minimise soil water
loss during dry season and the growth of weeds, mulching with two layers of coconut husks around the base of coconuts can be
done (Magat, 1999).
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Rhinoceros beetle (Figure 4.8 and 4.9) attacks coconut palms in all stages of growth especially young palms which can be killed.
Its entry hole is marked by chewed up tissues; feeding of the beetle is shown by bilaterally symmetrical triangular cuts on the
youngest open frond.
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© Tetra Pak 2020 Figure 4.8 Figure 4.9
Rhinoceros beetle Rhinoceros beetle infected
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The burrowing nematode (worm), attacks the coconut root zone. Symptoms include main roots showing lesions and rotting as the
nematode penetrates delicate regions behind the root cap.
Eriophyid Mites are so minute in size that they are not visible to the naked eye. Measuring 200-250 microns in length and 20-30
microns in width, they remain underneath the periyanth (cap) of the coconut and injures by feeding on the soft paranchymatic
tissues.
Visible symptoms are brown discolouration in patches of the husk. In severe attacks of the button sheds, setting percentage of
coconut is very poor. Coconuts are deformed and undersized, with poorly developed kernel and husk.
The larvae of the Red palm weevil (Figure 4.10) can tunnel into the trunk of coconut palms, destroying the entire cabbage at which
time the young fronds wilt. This can eventually cause palms to die.
Infestation occurs when there are chewed fibres and reddish-brown sap oozing from entrance channel.
Coconut scale (Figure 4.11) attacks palms at all stages. Infested leaflets turn yellowish, due to numerous spots which mark the
position of scales on the underside of leaflets. This reduces the vitality of young palms. As a result, there is low yield.
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DISEASES
Basal stem rot is a type of fungal disease which affects coconut production. The causal
agent for basal stem rot is Ganoderma boninense. The symptoms are similar to severe
drought, making it difficult to recognise under drought conditions. These include few,
poorly developed female flowers; narrow and elongated nuts in the immature stage; small
and distorted nuts in mature stage; thicker husks; dark brown streaks on the husk, and
premature nut fall. At later stages, reddish brown discolouration develops at the base of
the stem, accompanied by exudation of brown, viscous gummy substance. Dry rot of
internal tissue also occurs at the base of the stem, leading to the formation of large
cavities in the bole, causing palms to break off from the base and fall. Figure 4.10
Red palm weevil
Stem bleeding is associated by fungi - Thielaviopsis paradoxa, Phytophthora palmivora
Photo courtesy of Asian and
and P. katsurae. Symptoms include bleeding patches leading to a reddish, brown liquid
Pacific Coconut Community
oozing out of the stem. When old lesions stop oozing, the fluid dries and turns black. The
(APCC)
tissues under the lesions rot, turn yellow to black, and disintegrate to a dry powdery mass.
Bud or heart rot commonly occurs in humid regions through fungal infection. Symptoms
include the withering of the youngest unfolded leaf and progressive leave fall, starting with
the youngest. Light brown speckles are also found on the petiole bases of the youngest
leaves. Often, the first typical external symptom is the withering and tilting of spear, at the
advanced stage of the disease.
Bogia Coconut Syndrome (Papua New Guinea) exhibits symptoms similar to the lethal
yellowing disease. Symptoms include leaflet yellowing, necrosis, frond collapse, premature
nut fall and subsequent death.
Root wilt disease (RWD) is caused by phytoplasma. It exhibits major symptoms like leaves
wilting, drooping and flaccidity; as well as ribbing, yellowing and necrosis of leaflets. These
are typical of foliar diseases.
The bacterial leaf stripe disease gives coconut palm the symptoms of a pale, yellowish
streak on the outer edges of both the leaf blades which develops into stripes. If virulent,
the disease can infect the whole tree in five days with abundant bacterial ooze on the
under surface of leaflets.
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Figure 4.12
Methods commonly used to
prevent and treat pests and
diseases
Photo courtesy of Asian and
Pacific Coconut Community
(APCC)
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