Hybrid Coconut Palm Seedlings Ensure High Productivity

[editorialteam]

Different coconut varieties available and best amongst all -

1. West Coast Tall (WCT)
2. Lakshadweep Ordinary (Chandrakalpa)
3. Philippines Ordinary (Kerachandra)
4. Andaman Ordinary
5. Java
6. Cochin China
7. Kappadam
8. Komadan

Hybrids

1. Lakshaganga (Lakshadweep Ordinary x Gangabondam)
2. Anandaganga (Andaman Ordinary x Gangabondam)
3. Keraganga (West Coast Tall x Gangabondam)
4. Kerasankara (West Coast Tall x Chowghat Orange Dwarf)
5. Chandrasankara (Chowghat Orange Dwarf x West Coast Tall)
6. Kerasree (West Coast Tall x Malayan Yellow Dwarf)
7. Kerasoubaghya (WCT x SSA)
8. Chowghat Green Dwarf x West Coast Tall
9. Chandralaksha (Lakshadweep Ordinary x Chowghat Orange Dwarf)
Tender nut variety: Chowghat Orange Dwarf

West coast tall, East coast tall, Tiptur tall are the best tall varieties. The best selection is based on the varietal or hybrids performances in the locations where they start coconut plantations. Released by proper selection of these tall varieties and released by State agricultural Universities in each State. In general medium sized fruits of fully acclimatized (adapted to the local climate) is the best one for the middle level management of coconut farming.

As told by -
Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy
President, Agriinfotech, Inc. India

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy,

These days there are coconut hybrid seeds available in the market. What are your thoughts on these thoughts with respect to productivity, farming and end profits? Do you think coconut farmers must opt for these?

Regards,
Shweta

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy,

These days there are coconut hybrid seeds available in the market. What are your thoughts on these thoughts with respect to productivity, farming and end profits? Do you think coconut farmers must opt for these?

Regards,
Shweta

Farmers are preferring coconut because of more supervision, over labor charges and its demand, and highly fluctuated price of other crops viz., rice, sugarcane, vegetables etc when compared with coconut.

Hybrid coconut is getting importance in places where the farmers are more progressive (early adapters) and ready to use hi-fi technologies viz., drip irrigation, fertigation, clean cultivation etc.,

Coconut is a long term crop and perennial in nature. Hybridization in coconut is started about 30 to 40 years ago. The total life span as well consistency in productivity is not yet studied in detail for hybrid.

But general observation even under medium level management the local tall varieties were performed well when compared to the hybrid. There are many hybrids were introduced from the State agricultural Universities, ICAR centers and the private firm also. We can’t say which hybrid is ‘ the best’ for each and every locations. Generally high level and high management situations we can prefer hybrid coconut.

Productivity of coconut is the outcome of the effective management of coconut farm. My personal experience is each coconut tree – a separate entity just like a family member. Each and every tree is cared individually and equates the yield for each tree in the plantations.

Coconut is a cross pollinated crops. Mother palm selection and quality of hybridization work is the deciding factor of hybrid coconut success.

As told by -
Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy
President, Agriinfotech, Inc. India

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Sir,

Are there any specific diseases associated with coconut cultivation which farmers should be careful about?

Regards,
Shweta

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Sir,

Are there any specific diseases associated with coconut cultivation which farmers should be careful about?

Regards,
Shweta

Bud rot, Thanjore wilt, Root wilt are the worst diseases in coconut. But we can manage those diseases by well care of the trees.

As told by -
Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy
President, Agriinfotech, Inc. India

 

[editorialteam]

Different coconut varieties available and best amongst all -

1. West Coast Tall (WCT)
2. Lakshadweep Ordinary (Chandrakalpa)
3. Philippines Ordinary (Kerachandra)
4. Andaman Ordinary
5. Java
6. Cochin China
7. Kappadam
8. Komadan

Hybrids

1. Lakshaganga (Lakshadweep Ordinary x Gangabondam)
2. Anandaganga (Andaman Ordinary x Gangabondam)
3. Keraganga (West Coast Tall x Gangabondam)
4. Kerasankara (West Coast Tall x Chowghat Orange Dwarf)
5. Chandrasankara (Chowghat Orange Dwarf x West Coast Tall)
6. Kerasree (West Coast Tall x Malayan Yellow Dwarf)
7. Kerasoubaghya (WCT x SSA)
8. Chowghat Green Dwarf x West Coast Tall
9. Chandralaksha (Lakshadweep Ordinary x Chowghat Orange Dwarf)
Tender nut variety: Chowghat Orange Dwarf

West coast tall, East coast tall, Tiptur tall are the best tall varieties. The best selection is based on the varietal or hybrids performances in the locations where they start coconut plantations. Released by proper selection of these tall varieties and released by State agricultural Universities in each State. In general medium sized fruits of fully acclimatized (adapted to the local climate) is the best one for the middle level management of coconut farming.

As told by -
Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy
President, Agriinfotech, Inc. India

There are only two distinct varieties of coconut -- Tall and Dwarf.
Owing to cross pollination especially in the talls, a wide range of varieties occur within the same variety.

Tall Varieties : Are extensively cultivated grows to a height of about 15 to 18 m, bears fruits in seven to ten years under rainfed conditions. Ex : west coast Tall, East coast Tall, Tiptur tall, Arsikere Tall, Lakshadweep ordinary, Lakshdweep Micro, Andman ordinary, Kapadom, Lagnna, etc.

Dwarf varieties : This variety is characterized by its short stature and early ability of bearing . It bears fruits in 4 years. These tree bears in huge quantity and rarely tree exceeds 5 m in height. It has the tendency of irregular bearing.

Important varieties in India are : 1) Chowghat dwarf green.
2) Chawghat dwarf orange.
3) Malayan dwarf,
4) Gangabondam.

Hybrid Palms :

The manifestation of hybrid vigour in perrenmial crop like the coconut palm was first reported from India in 1932. The inter varietal hybrids produced for commercial plantings are the
Tall X Dwarf
Dwarf X tall
Tall X Dwarf (Female – Male)
Dwarf X Tall (Female (D) * Male (Tall)
Examples : Lakshaganga ( Tall * Gangabordam)
Kern Ganga ( WCT * GB)
Ananta ganga (Andaman ordinary * GB)
Chandra Laksha ( Lakshadweep ordinary * chawakkad Dwarf Green)

So it is important to note that while establishing a farm selection of planting material (T*D) or D*T or Tall varieties) of different varieties of high intrinsic value assumes considerable importance. The palm full bearing capacity can be known only 10-15 year after planting. So if the original planting material is from a wrong site the garden will prove to be highly uneconomical.

As told by -
Dr. D.W. Rajsekhar and Sunitha ND
M.Sc(Agri) Ph.D
Deputy Director of Agriculture,
Watershed Development Training Centre, Bijapur

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Sir,

Are there any specific diseases associated with coconut cultivation which farmers should be careful about?

Regards,
Shweta

Pests and Diseases :

Insect Pests : Rhinocerous beetle, attacks fonds and cuts the leaves before opening. Mechanical method is most effective killing the beetle by hooks. Beetle breeds in FYM/decaying organic matter so keep garden clean and apply insecticides on the breeding places.

2) Leaf eating caterpillar : Insect eats green portion of the plant.
root injection with Manocrotophas can be practical.

3) Red palm Weevil : Larva bores into the trunk and feeds on the inner tissue making large holes from which exudation of reddish gum is visible.

4) Eriophyid mite Devastating can destroy upto 90% of coconut production.

Diseases :

Palm is attacked by number of diseases :
1) Bud rot : Young palms are damaged : Apply coc @ 4 g/l
2) Stem Bleeding : Reddish brown liquid exudates from the trunk cracks.
Scraping the affected area and apply Mancozeb or Bordeux mixture is recommended.


As told by -
Dr. D.W. Rajsekhar and Sunitha ND
M.Sc(Agri) Ph.D
Deputy Director of Agriculture,
Watershed Development Training Centre, Bijapur

 

[editorialteam]

Important aspects of coconut cultivation -

Coconut is not like other crops. When we look at its importance coconut may consider being an ‘ATM card’ of the Farmer. All the parts of the coconut trees are beneficial and named earlier year as ‘Karpagavirutcham’. Coconut cultivation is strictly a tropical tree ideal for irrigated garden lands with good drainage facilities.

As told by -
Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy, President, Agriinfotech, Inc. India

Important Aspects of Coconut Cultivation -

The coconut palm thrives well under an evenly distributed rainfall ranging from 1000 mm to 3000 mm. it prefers neither very hot nor very cold climate. The coconut palm thrives well upto an altitada of 600 m MSL and prefers a temperature 270 C ± 70 C.

The coconut can be cultivated in wide range of soils viz. Laterite, alluvial, red sandy loam. Coastal sandy and reclaimed soils with a pH ranging from 5.2 to 8.0. It prefers areas with abundant sunlight and regular rainfall (150cm to 250 cm annually) also they need high humidity (70 to 80 % or more).

Shallow soils with underlying hard rock, low lying areas subjected to water stagnation and clay soils should be avoided. Spacing depends upon the planting system In general the following spacing are recommended under different planting system in sandy and laterite soils.

Planting system Spacing
1. Triangular 7.6 m
2. Square 7.6 * 7.6 m , 8*8m, 9*9 m.
3. Single 6.5 m in rows 9 m b/w rows

In general square system of planting with a spacing of 7.5 m to 9 m is practiced this will accommodate 177 to 124 palms per hectare.

Planting the seedlings during May with the onset of monsoon rain is ideal.
Seedlings can be transplanted in the beginning of the south west monsoon. If irrigation facility is available it is better to plant seedlings a month before the onset of monsoon. So that the seedlings will be well established before heavy rains. The pits are filled up with powdered cow dung or vermi compost or compost along with top soil upto a depth of 50 to 60 cm then take a small pit inside this so as to accommodate the nut attached to the seedling. Plant the seedling inside this pit and fill up with the soil. In laterite areas common salt (2 kg/pit) may be applied.

As told by -
Dr. D.W. Rajsekhar and Sunitha ND
Deputy Director of Agriculture,
Watershed Development Training Centre, Bijapur

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Mr. Lobo,

In your opinion what are the care and precautions required to have best quality of coconut? Please tell us in detail.

Regards,
Shweta

Care of young palms

For the first two years it is better to irrigate during summer months provide adequate shade and staking.

Manuring : Year of Planting FYM (kg/plant)
1 40
2 20
3 25
4 30
5 35
6 45
7 on wards 50

Nutrients (g/kg) :

1 Year 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 on wards
N 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
P 200 120 170 220 270 320 370 400
K 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

As told by -
Dr. D.W. Rajsekhar and Sunitha ND
Deputy Director of Agriculture,
Watershed Development Training Centre, Bijapur

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Mr. Sivakumar,

Please tell us more about "D x T " coconut breed?

Regards,
Shweta

Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy
President, Agriinfotech, Inc. India

shares,

I am not familiar with this particular D X T RaamGanga but I was experienced with Hybrids released from the State Agrl. Universities and TJ farm’s Overall either hybrids or varieties, the best agronomic management of coconut plantations deciding the consistent productivity of coconut.

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Sir,

Recently it was in news ‘it is fruitful to plant spices as inter crop in coconut farms’ Do you agreewith this? If yes, please tell which inter crop can be used. If no, why?

Regards,
Shweta

Intercropping:

A variety of intercrops like pineapple, banana, elephant foot yam, groundnut, chillies, Sweet potato, tapioca, and different vegetables can be raised in coconut palm based on the canopy size and orientation of palms. In older plantations cocoa, cinnamon, pepper, clove nutmeg etc. can be grown.

Mixed farming :

Mixed farming by raising fodder grasses such as Napier Hybrid or Guinea grass along with styloxanthus can be done.

Coconut palm is crop with unique features Owing to its versatile uses the demand is increasing day by day. The crop is spreading fast even to the interior tracts and the north and the north eastern parts of the country gaining national acceptance. As the coconut exhibits considerable genetic variation and its capability to propagating only through seed the selection and use of planting material of highest intrinsic value assumes considerable importance Since coconut culture involves substantial pre bearing investment, greater emphasis must be given to the selecting and use of the right type of planting material. Due to multifarious uses the future of the crop is biggest irrespective of the locations where it is grown in the world.

Regards,
Dr. D.W. Rajsekhar and Sunitha ND
Deputy Director of Agriculture,
Watershed Development Training Centre, Bijapur

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Sir,

Recently it was in news ‘it is fruitful to plant spices as inter crop in coconut farms’ Do you agreewith this? If yes, please tell which inter crop can be used. If no, why?

Regards,
Shweta

Yes. I do agree. Well spaced coconut plantations may accommodate intercrops such as Mace, Coco, Banana, Cut flowers, Coffee like intercrops showed the best intercrops in coconut. But scientific supervisions / consultations is needed especially root characters, feeding behaviors, marketability of the intercrops

As told by -
Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy
President, Agriinfotech, Inc. India

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Readers,

Do you feel by implementing special agricultural practices better coconut production can be attained. If yes, please tell in detail about such agricultural practices. If no, why?

Regards,
Shweta

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Readers,

Do you feel by implementing special agricultural practices better coconut production can be attained. If yes, please tell in detail about such agricultural practices. If no, why?

Regards,
Shweta

In short it was termed as “Coconut Horoscope”. Individual tree care management by natural or eco-friendly management is highly ideal.

As told by -
Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy
President, Agriinfotech, Inc. India

 

[editorialteam]

Looking at the present scenario what are the growth prospects for coconut farming in India? What suggestion you would like to give people who are considering farming as a source of income?

Regards,
Shweta

 

[editorialteam]

Looking at the present scenario what are the growth prospects for coconut farming in India? What suggestion you would like to give people who are considering farming as a source of income?

Regards,
Shweta

No doubt that coconut is an economical crop. Cost effective management under high tech approach is possible in coconut. Difficulties in harvesting the coconut Govt. policies in stable price fixations for coconut etc are some limitations. When compare with other commercial crops coconut is really ideal for yielding sustainable income.

As told by -
Dr. Ilangovan Ramasamy
President, Agriinfotech, Inc. India

 

[editorialteam]

Economic and Social Department the statistical Division

The Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera Linn) is eluded has the Kalpvriksha as all giving tree in Indian Classics Coconut is grown in more than 86 countries worldwide with a total production of 54 billion nuts per annum.

In India coconut is cultivated mainly in the coastal tracts of Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnatka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Pandicherry and Maharastra and in the Islands of Lakshdweep, Andaman and Nicobar. Oflate coconut cultivation has been introduced to suitable location in non traditional states including Assam, Gujarath, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Kerala is the main coconut growing state with an area of 10.20 lakh hactares and production of 5911 million nuts, followed by TN (3.2 lakh ha. And 3716 millian nuts) Karnataka (2.87 lakh ha. and 1493 million nuts) and Andra Pradesh (0.96 lakh ha, and 780 millian nuts). Therefore Southern states together accounts 90% of the total production in the country.

As told by -
Dr. D.W. Rajsekhar and Sunitha ND
Deputy Director of Agriculture,
Watershed Development Training Centre, Bijapur

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Readers,

Please note this thread is now closed since the Editors are no longer moderating this topic. If you wish to discuss further on this topic please free to contact the members directly via private message or by posting a new topic in the "Q & A" forum.

Regards,
Shweta - Editorial Team

 

[rejeeve]

Very nice article. I am an oils and fats technologist from kerala.
I wish all the best to you and yr company.
Is the seedlings available in kerala?
Kind regards,

 

[dhanush halesh]

needed hybrid coconut trees for me urgently, please assist me where to buy.

Sir i wanted to buy hybrid coconut seedling immediately since its rainy season i wanted to buy immediately, i am from karnataka.

Deejay Consultancy Services started in 1983 when a United Nations expert by the name of Professor Anthony Davis suggested that a hybrid coconut-breeding project be started in Madurai. Now, Deejay Consultancy runs in Bangalore and specializes in the production of hybrid seed nuts for selected palms. Mr. David J. Lobo is now the chairman of the consultancy service and oversees the company’s production of hybrid seed nuts and seedling production.

Products
Hybrid coconut palm seedlings are the main product of Deejay Consultancy Services with over 15 lakh hybrid seedlings in their arsenal. Since their establishment, the company has successfully established a name for quality with their seedlings doing very well in the Indian market. Their main seedling, the Deejay Hybrid, is a synthetic dwarf palm that took 28 years to develop. Deejay Hyrbids are only available at their farms in Madurai and Ambur (Tamilnadu), Bailur (Karnataka) and Sangeum (South Goa).

Success
The Deejay Hybrid owes its success to its superior genetic potential. Studies show that it produces hybrid coconut palms with a much higher productivity including “heavier copra [and] larger nuts with more tender coconut water.” Advanced orders from farmers all over India have proven the hybrid’s staying power in the market.

“Performance results from very manly hybrid gardens have resulted in the Deejay Hybrid becoming the preferred planting material for maximum productivity,” Mr. Lobo supplied. “Virtually 90% of new orders come from [the regions of Pollachi and Udumalpet area of Tamil Nadu.]”

Deejay Hybrids also yield products much faster than ordinary tall coconut palm varieties. While ordinary palms need seven years to yield and ten to stabilize, Deejay Hybrids start yielding after two years and stabilize in five. Special agricultural practices also add to success.

Mr. Lobo recommends using the drip system for irrigation and supplementing chemical fertilizers with organic ones. Palms should also be spaced properly, no more than 70 palms per acre, to ensure that each palm gets enough sunlight.

Challenges and Marketing
A lengthy but fruitful process is involved with coconut farming. For starters, before starting coconut farming a minimum of 100 litres of water per day for each palm is necessary although coconut palms do well in most types of soil. Time is also a crucial requirement.

With Deejay Consultancy Services their main trial was insufficient irrigation caused by drought. Challenges also arose with marketing due to an initial lack of knowledge and the need for a good coconut hybrid. However, now that the Deejay Hybrid has established itself a quality product, Mr. Lobo feels that the product virtually markets itself. “A quality product is its own advertisement and word of mouth is the medium,” he said.

Future Plans
Mr. Lobo estimates that coconut-farming market will grow exponentially to USD 400 million from last years USD 265 million by the end of this year. According to him, coconut based products are in very short supply. As such, the market is likely experience a boom very soon.

Due to the success of the Deejay Hybrid, the company has started new breeding projects in Ambur, Bailur, and Sangeum. Also in the works are breeding projects for the markets of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Orissa and Maharashtra. With daily advanced orders coming in from farmers all over India, the company has made it their priority to accomplish high production goals for the future.

“Hopefully, we will produce one million seedlings four years from now,” Mr. Lobo said. “It is sad that farmers have to wait for 15 months for orders to be filled. We are doing our best to save them from this loss and waiting.”

So what are your impressions after reading the article. Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions as well as post the queries if any. Mr. David J. Lobo or the editorial team of agricultureinformation.com shall be monitoring the thread.