Botanical name: Cocos nuciferaFamily: Arecaceae (formerly known as Palmae)Chromosome numbers: 2n=32
1. Climatic Condition
Coconut cultivation is mainly done in tropical and subtropical regions with an average temperature of 27-32°C. The ideal rainfall for coconut cultivation is 150-200 cm annually, and it should be evenly distributed throughout the year.
2. Soil
Coconut trees prefer sandy loam or loamy soils with a pH range of 4.5-6.8. The soil should be well-drained and capable of holding moisture. Saline and waterlogged soils are not suitable for coconut cultivation.
3. Prapogation
Coconut can be propagated through seedlings, sprouted nuts, and tissue culture. The seedlings are raised in nurseries and transplanted after 8-10 months.
4. Planting
Coconut planting is usually done in pits of 1x1x1 m size at a spacing of 7.5-10 m. The best time for planting is during the onset of monsoon. 3-4 seedlings are planted per pit, and 40-50 seedlings are required per hectare.
5. Irrigation
Young coconut plants require frequent watering for the first year. After that, the frequency of irrigation can be reduced, and mature coconut trees do not require regular irrigation.
6. Manures And Fertilizers
The major nutrients required for coconut cultivation are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The recommended dose of NPK fertilizer is 150:60:300 g per tree per year. Organic manures like cow dung, poultry manure, and compost can also be used.
7. Trainning And Prunning
Coconut trees require minimal training and pruning. Dead, diseased, and broken fronds should be removed regularly.
8. Varities
Some popular coconut varieties are Tall, Dwarf, and Hybrid. Varieties like West Coast Tall, East Coast Tall, and Chowghat Orange Dwarf are commonly cultivated in India.
9. Harvesting And Yield
Coconut trees take 5-6 years to start bearing fruit. The ideal stage for harvesting coconut is when the nut is about 10-12 months old. The yield of coconut varies between 60-80 nuts per tree per year.
