Hybrid Coconut Farming
A step by step guide for hybrid coconut cultivation, Planting
Today, we discuss the hybrid coconut cultivation yield, profitable hybrid coconut varieties and farming practices. Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) plays an important role in the agrarian economy of India. Apart from the importance of copra and coconut oil which is normally used in the manufacture of soaps, hair oil, cosmetics, and other industrial products. Its husk is a source of fiber which will support a sizable coir industry. Coconut is a crop of small and marginal farmers since 98% of about 5 million coconut holdings in the country are less than two hectares.
Hybrid coconut palms:
Hybrid coconuts are inter-varietal crosses between two morphological forms of coconut trees. In particular, hybrids from Dwarf and Tall, Tall and Tall varieties also generate high-yielding coconut palms. Generally, hybrid coconut palms are more superior in terms of quality and quantity of copra production. They also have the greatest amount of copra per nut. As such, they are generally selected for commercial planting.
The hybrid crosses between Dwarf and Tall varieties have exhibited marked hybrid vigor by having the benefits found in both palms. Normally, high yielding hybrid coconut trees are resistant to environmental stress, including drought and diseases. They bear fruits after three to four years of planting. When compared to Dwarf and Tall varieties, hybrid coconut palms have more nut yields and higher copra production. The copra and oil produced are also of better quality.
- Early fruiting (3 to 4 years versus 6–8 years for open-pollinated, native varieties)
- Semi-dwarf growth habit which facilitates very easy harvesting.
- The relatively high content of medium-chain fatty acids (6 to 12 carbon fatty acids) which are more healthful than those from competitive vegetable oils.
- High yields and good coconut production would provide an income of formers above the poverty level.
- The main advantage of hybrid coconut plants is that they start flowering from the second year, by the third year all the trees will come to the flowering stage and from the fourth year, all the trees will start to provide the yield.
Characteristics of hybrid coconuts :
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Hybrids are formed in two ways, with tall as female parent and dwarf as male parent (Tall x Dwarf) or dwarf as the female parent and tall as male parent (Dwarf x Tall).
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When the tall is used as female they are known as TxD hybrid while the reciprocal is known as DxT hybrid. Hybrid coconuts perform well under good management conditions including nutrient management and irrigation.
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They show earliness in flowering and provide increased yield, higher quantity and better quality of copra and oil when compared to the parents.
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Besides intervarietal hybrids like Tall x Tall and Dwarf x Dwarf are also formed.
Cultivars and hybrids:
Coconut cultivars are classified into two groups they are tall and dwarf.
The tall coconut cultivars that are extensively grown are the West Coast Tall and East Coast Tall. The dwarf variety is very shorter in stature and its life span is short as compared to the tall. Tall x Dwarf (TxD), Dwarf x Tall (DxT) are the two important hybrid coconut varieties.
There are different combinations of hybrids, developed by Kerala Agriculture University and Tamil Nadu Agriculture University. They are very high yielders under good management conditions. Laccadive Ordinary, Andaman Ordinary, Philippines, Java, Cochin-China, Kappadam, etc are the other tall cultivars under cultivation
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