COCONUT

List of Tall Varieties: 

• VPM - 3 (Andaman Ordinary) 
• TNAU Coconut VPM 4 (WCT) 
• Aliyar Nagar 1 (ALR 1) 
• Aliyar Nagar 2 (ALR 2) 
• Kera Sagara (Seychelles) 
• Chandra Kalpa 
• Kera Chandra 
• Kalpatharu 
• Kalpa Pratibha 
• Kalpa Dhenu 
• Kalpa Mitra 
• Kera Keralam 
• Kalpa Shatabdi 

List of Dwarf Varieties (Tender coconut): 

• Chowghat Green Dwarf (CGD) 
• Gangabandom 
• Malaysian Dwarf Yellow 
• Chowghat 
• Orange Dwarf 
• Kalpasree17 
• Kalparaksha 
• Kalpa Surya 
• Kalpa Jyothi  

List of Hybrid Varieties 

• Keraganga (WCT x GBGD) 
• Lakshaganga (LCT x GBGD) 
• Anandaganga (ADOT x GBGD) 
• Kerasree (WCT x MYD) 
• Kerasoubhagya (WCT x SSAT) 
• VHC 1 (ECT x MGD) 
• VHC 2 (ECT x MYD) 
• VHC 3 (ECT x MOD) 
• VPM 5 

Local types 

• West Coast Tall 
• East Coast Tall 
• Tiptur Tall  

Selection of Site: 

• Choose a location with fertile, well-drained soil and access to water for irrigation. 
• Avoid areas prone to waterlogging or salinity.  

Selection of Planting Material: 

• Use disease-free and high-yielding coconut varieties or hybrids. 
• Varieties like West Coast Tall, East Coast Tall, and Dwarf types such as Chowghat Green or Orange are recommended. 

Field Planting: 

• Dig pits of 1 m x 1 m x 1 m and fill with a mixture of topsoil, compost, and organic manure. 
• Maintain a spacing of 7.5 m x 7.5 m for proper growth. 
• Plant the sapling at the center of the pit, ensuring the collar region is above ground level. 

• Apply 20–50 kg of farmyard manure per palm annually. 
• Fertilize with NPK (500:320:1200 g/palm/year) in three split doses during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon periods. 

• Irrigate regularly during dry periods, with drip irrigation being the most efficient method. 
• Proper drainage is crucial during heavy rains to prevent root rot.

• Regularly weed the field and mulch around the base to retain soil moisture. 
• Remove dried leaves and clean the crown to maintain plant health. 

• Train the tree canopy to allow adequate sunlight and airflow. 

  Intercropping: 

• Coconut can be intercropped with crops like banana, pineapple, or pepper. 
• Ensure intercrops are well-spaced to avoid nutrient competition. 

1. Nitrogen Deficiency: 

• Symptoms: Yellowing of older leaves. 
• Remedy: Apply urea @ 500 g/palm/year. 

2. Potassium Deficiency: 

• Symptoms: Yellowing of leaf tips and margins. 
• Remedy: Apply muriate of potash @ 1 kg/palm/year. 

3. Magnesium Deficiency: 

• Symptoms: Yellowing between leaf veins. 
• Remedy: Apply magnesium sulfate @ 500 g/palm. 

Pest Control:  

1. Rhinoceros Beetle: 

• Apply neem oil or chlorpyrifos to the crown region to prevent infestation. 

2. Red Palm Weevil: 

• Use pheromone traps and apply biopesticides for control. 

Disease Control: 

1. Bud Rot: 

• Apply Bordeaux mixture (1%) to the crown and base of the palm. 

2. Leaf Spot: 

• Spray mancozeb (0.25%) on affected leaves. 

Harvesting: 

• Coconuts start yielding 5–7 years after planting, depending on the variety. 
• Harvesting is done every 45–60 days when nuts are fully mature. 

Yield: 

• A well-managed coconut palm can produce 80–120 nuts per year. 
• Hybrid varieties may yield up to 200 nuts annually under ideal conditions.