PACKAGE OF PRACTICES OF COCONUT

1. Introduction2.=20 Climate=20 and Soil 3. Varieties 4. = Planting=20 Material 5. Site=20 Selection 6. Preparation=20 of Land & Planting 7. Spacing=20 & Systems of Planting 8. Time=20 of Planting 9. Planting	10. Care=20 of young Palms 11. Manuring 1= 2.=20 Irrigation = 13.=20 Inter-cultivation<= /A> 14.=20 Husk=20 Burial 15. Green=20 Manure and Cover Crops 16. Mixed/Inter/Multi-sp= ecies=20 cropping 17. Mixed=20 farming 18. Plant=20 protection
:: Other=20 Related Links=20 ::

1.Introduction

The = coconut=20 palm (Cocos nucifera linn.) is the most useful palm in = the=20 world. Every part of the tree is useful to human life = for some=20 purpose or the other. Hence, the coconut palm is = endearingly=20 called =91kalpavriksha=92 meaning the tree of heaven. = The copra=20 obtained by drying the kernel of coconut is the = richest source=20 of vegetable oil containing 65 to 70 per cent oil. =

2. Climate and Soil

The = coconut=20 palm is found to grow under varying climatic and soil=20 conditions. It is essentially a tropical plant growing = mostly=20 between 20^oN 20^oS latitudes. = However, a=20 rainfall of about 2000 mm per year, well distributed=20 throughout, is ideal for proper growth and maximum=20 production.

Coconut is=20 grown under different soil types such as loamy, = laterite,=20 coastal sandy, alluvial, clayey and reclaimed soils of = the=20 marshy low lands. The ideal soil conditions for better = growth=20 and performance of the palm are proper drainage, good=20 water-holding capacity, presence of water table within = 3m and=20 absence of rock or any hard substratum within 2m of = the=20 surface.

3. Varieties

(Hybrid=20 Variety)

West Coast Tall
(Tall=20 Variety)

= =20 &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; (Dwarf Variety)

There are only two distinct varieties of = coconut, the=20 tall and the dwarf.

The tall cultivars that are extensively grown = are the=20 West Coast Tall and East Coast Tall. The dwarf variety = is=20 shorter in stature and its life span is short as = compared to=20 the tall. Tall x Dwarf (TxD), Dwarf x Tall (DxT) are = the two=20 important hybrids.

There are = 10 different=20 combination of hybrids, developed by Kerala = Agriculture=20 University and Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and = released=20 for commercial cultivation. They are high yielders = under the=20 good management conditions. Laccadive Ordinary, = Andaman=20 Ordinary, Philippines, Java, Cochin-China, Kappadam = etc. are=20 the other tall cultivars under cultivation.

4. Planting Material

3DSeedling Coconut is propagated through = seedlings=20 raised from selected seednuts. Generally 9 to 12 month = old=20 seedlings are used for planting. Select seedlings, = which have=20 6-8 leaves and 10-12 cm collar girth when they are = 9-12 month=20 old. Early splitting of leaves is another criteria in = the=20 selection of coconut seedling.

5. Site Selection

Shallow soils=20 with underlying hard rock, low lying areas subject to = water=20 stagnation and clayey soils are to be avoided. Proper = supply=20 of moisture either through well distributed rainfall = or=20 through irrigation should be ensured before = planting.

6. Preparation of Land and Planting

3DPit On slopes and in areas of = undulating=20 terrain, prepare the land by contour terracing or = bunding. In=20 low-lying areas mounds are to be formed at planting = site to a=20 height of at least 1m above water level. In reclaimed = =91kayal=92=20 areas, seedlings are planted on field = bunds.

In=20 loamy soils with low water table, a pit size of = 1mx1mx1m is=20 recommended. In laterite soils with underlying rocks, = take=20 larger pits of size 1.2m x 1.2m x 1.2m. In sandy soils = the=20 size need not exceed 0.75m x 0.75m x 0.75 = m.

7. Spacing and Systems of Planting

Spacing depends upon the = planting system,=20 soil type etc. In general the following spacing are=20 recommended under different planting system in sandy = and=20 laterite soils.

	Planting=20 system	Spacing
1	Triangular	7.6m
2	Square	7.6x7.6m, 8x8m,=20 9x9 m
3	Single	6.5m in rows - 9m between = rows
4	Double=20 Hedge	6.5 to 6.5m in=20 rows - 9m between pairs of=20 rows

8. Time of Planting

Seedlings can=20 be transplanted in the beginning of the south west = monsoon. If=20 irrigation facilities are available, it is advisable = to take=20 up planting at least a month before the onset of the = monsoon=20 so that the seedlings get well established before = heavy rains.=20 Planting can also be taken up before the onset of the=20 north-east monsoon. In low-lying areas subject to = inundation=20 during monsoon period, transplanting may be done after = the=20 cessation of the monsoon.

9. Planting

Before=20 planting the pits are filled up with top soil and = powdered cow=20 dung / compost up to a depth of 50 to 60 cm. Then take = a small=20 pit inside this, so as to accommodate the nut attached = to the=20 seedling. Plant the seedling inside this pit and fill = up with=20 soil. Press the soil well so as to avoid water = stagnation. If=20 there is chance for white-ant attack apply Sevidol = 8G(5gm.)=20 inside the small pit before planting.

In = laterite=20 areas apply 2 kg common salt per pit for improving the = physical condition of the soil. Burying 25 to 30 = coconut husks=20 per pit in layers will be useful for moisture=20 conservation.


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