Coconut

Plant Protection

The coconut (cocos nucifera L.) is a tropical fruit plant grown on a large scale in a number of countries in tropical and sub-tropical areas. In India, coconut palms are grown on the entire coastal belt. Major share goes to Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu followed by Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Orissa. Every part of the coconut palm is useful to mankind. It supplies food, fuel, drink, oil and shelter to us. The wet kernel, desicated copra, coconut water, cream flour, oil, cake, toddy, husk, fibre, shell, coir, wood and leaves are used for one purpose or the other.

Requirement

• Climate

The coconut palm grows well in a equatorial climate. It thrives well upto 1000 m above the sea level. The well distributed rainfall ranging from 100 to 300 cm is favourable. The long spells of hot and dry weather, severe winters and extremes of temperatures are not favourable for coconut growing.

• Soil

The coconut palm can grow in a wide range of soil conditions ranging from laterite, alluvial, red, sandy loam having pH range from 5.5 to 8.0. Soil should be fertile and good drainage without any hard substratum within one of the surface.

Varieties

There are number of varieties grown in different parts, which are classified as under:-

Tall varieties: West Coast Tall,Lakshadweep,Andaman,Kappadam,Laguna,San Raman

Dwarf varieties: Chowghat – Dwarf green,Dwarf orange,Malayon, Dwarf Mangipod

Hybrid varieties: T X D, D X T

Selections: Pratap, Banoli, etc.

The planting should be done on onset of monsoon for which the pits of 0.75 x 0.75 x 0.75m should be opened and filled with a mixture of compost, bone meal, super phosphate, well before the monsoon. Well developed and well grown seedlings about 1 to 2 years old should be selected for planting. The planting distance depends on the type of plant or variety, soil type and weather monoculture or associated culture or mixed culture is adopted, distance should be in such a way that the fronds (leaves) of planting adjacent palms to do not overlap when fully grown. The spacing may be 7 to 8 m both ways for tall varieties.

Weeding and stirring the soil around the plant should be done frequently. The interspace may be kept clean or utilised for taking other crops, seasonals or perennials.

The young palms need proper care during the early stages of growth from transplanting upto 5^th year. The seedlings should be protected from stray cattle. During summer months, shade and frequent watering must be provided to the young palms to avoid casualties. The care should be taken to see that the collar and leaf axils of the seedlings are not covered by mud, water or soil.

The dwarf varieties are considered on self-pollinating while tall varieties are considered cross pollinating inter planting of mix planting be done to increase the fruit set. Honeybees are considered to be very useful for pollination and be rared in the viscinity of palm cultures.

To get a good yield, palms should be fertilized regularly and with a quick frequency, Bimonthly applications are more beneficial. Micronutrients/Ormichem @ 2 kg/palm once in a year should be applied to avoid any micro-nutrient disorders. The schedule of fertilizer application is given as below:

Plant protection

• Important pests

Rhinocerous beetle, Red palm weevil, leaf eating caterpillar and cockchafer beetle are the major insect pests. Occasionally mealy bug, rat and slug also become trouble some. Bud rot and leaf rot and root wilt can cause severe damage to palms.

• Control measure

One should be very alert to notice the symptoms of any post and take the suitable control measures. Close planting should be avoided plantation should be kept weed free and clean. The palms should be cleared off at least once in a year. Providing a good drainage and feeding the palms with balanced nutrition is useful to keep palms healthy.