In recent years much attention has been focussed on the importance of moisture conservation practices in coconut lands, particularly in drier parts of the Coconut triangle. Experiments were conducted in mature coconut plantations, to study the effect of various methods of application of coconut husk and coir dust, in lateritic and sandly soils, on the yield of palms. The results revealed that the use of both husks and coir dust was beneficial to coconut production. This was partly attributed to their ability ot retain moisture in the soil and regeneration of more roots per unit area. In terms of copra yield per palm coir dust appeared to be more effective than husk in lateritic soil. Of the different placement methods, husk in pits caused significant improvent in nut and copra yield per palm, while coir dust placed in trenches had the least effect. Furthermore, placing husk or coir dust in pits between two palms appeared to be more effective and economical than in circular trenches round each palm. Based on these results, use of coir dust in pits is recommended as an effective alternative to husk pits, for moisture conservation and in reducing the adverse effects on the palm during the dry period.
Among the tree crops in the tropics the coconut palm occupies an important position as a food, oil, and fibre crop. Productivity of crop species depends on the combined effect of their genetic constitution, climate, nutrition and other biotic factors. To increase the productivity of the coconut palm it is necessary to have a basic understanding of physiological processes such as assimilation of carbon and growth in relation to climatic factors.In-situ photosynthetic measurement of coconut seedlings using Li-COR 6500 portable photosynthesis system revealed that their maximum photosynthetic capacity is attained at photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) ranging from 1400-1700 u moles photons m' 2 S" 1 . The rate of apparent photosynthesis (A) of the coconut palm varies between 2-15 a moi C0 2 m" 2 S" 1 depending on leaf age, nutritional status .and climatic factors. The rate of leaf respiration was closely similar in young and older leaves ranging from -2 to -1 fi mol C0 2 m' 2 S"'. The measured light-use efficiency of the coconut palm was found to be 1.2 g MJ" 1 and the conversion efficiency of solar energy was approximately 2.4%.Water deficit is the major constraint causing wide fluctuations in photosynthesis. Due to height of trees, the leaves in the canopy are exposed to a high wind velocity as well as water and thermal stresses. As a result, under soil water deficit conditions coconut palms reduce excessive water loss and gaseous exchange by mid-day closure of stomata and maintain stomatal conductance at a lower level. However, the rate of apparent photosynthesis and the ratio of intercellular to ambient partial pressure of C0 2 (P/PJ are not decreased proportionately with the stomatal conductance.
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