Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Introduction

Coconut is considered a “Kalpavriksha” (Tree of Life) as it provides essential necessities like food, oil, fiber, and timber. The term “Coco” is derived from the Spanish word meaning “monkey face,” referring to the three scars on the base of the shell that resemble a monkey’s face.

Significance and Scope

• With the current shortage of edible oil, there is enormous scope for improving existing plantations through intensive cultivation.
• The area under coconut cultivation can be expanded through commercial plantations and home gardens.
• India’s average national coconut productivity is 40 to 50 nuts per palm per year.

Research Organizations

The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the premier institute conducting research on coconut. The mandate crops of CPCRI include coconut, arecanut, and cocoa. It also coordinates research through the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Palms.

Origin and Distribution

• The precise origin of coconut is unknown, but Malaysia and Indonesia are considered probable places of origin.
• Two major regions are believed to be the South Pacific Islands of Polynesia and Melanesia in Southeast Asia.
• The Tamil mariners and traders from the Bengal Coast are credited with distributing coconut to Indian Ocean regions.

Global Distribution and Production

The major coconut-producing countries include Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Brazil. Below are the top coconut-producing nations (FAOSTAT 2009):

Coconut Production in India

According to the Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, the final estimates for coconut production in India (2008-09) are as follows:

• Kerala ranks first in area and production of coconut.
• Andhra Pradesh has the highest productivity.
• Maharashtra recorded the highest productivity (2962 nuts/ha) as per 1995-96 figures from the Handbook of Horticulture.

Composition and Uses of Coconut

Nutcoco

• Parts of Nutcoco:
  • Kernel
  • Shell
  • Husk
• Uses: Acts as a diuretic.

Coconut Water

• Composition & Uses:
  • Acts as a diuretic.
  • Increases blood circulation in kidneys.
  • Helps in eliminating mineral poisoning.
  • Good substitute for saline glucose in gastroenteritis.
• Nata De Coco:
  • A product developed from coconut water by the National Institute of Science and Technology, Philippines.
  • Popular in Philippines and introduced in Kerala as “Coconut Salad.”
  • Prepared by mixing sugar, acetic acid, and a culture liquor, then hardened into block-like form.

Kernel/Meat

• Uses:
  • Used in culinary preparations in fresh form.
• Composition of Fresh Coconut:
  • Water = 45%
  • Protein = 4%
  • Fat = 37%
  • Minerals = 4%
  • Carbohydrate = 10%

Copracoco (Dried Kernel)

• Richest source of vegetable fat (60–67% oil).
• Types of Copra:
  1. Ball Copra (Whole) – Stored fully mature nuts (unhusked) for 8–12 months.
  2. Cup Copra (Split into halves) – Used in North India, where fresh nuts are unavailable.
• Coconut Oil:

• • Contains Lauric Acid, making it “Lauric Oil” in the world market.
  • Oil Cake (30–40%) is used for cattle and poultry feed.
• Virgin Coconut Oil:
  • Extracted from raw kernel milk using a mechanical process without heat or sunlight.
• Processed Coconut Products:
  • Desiccated Coconut (DC) – Substitute for grated coconut in food preparations.
  • Coconut Cream, Coconut Milk, Spray-Dried Coconut Milk Powder.
  • Defatted Desiccated Coconut – Available in the market.
• Oil Cake:
  • Residue left after oil extraction, used as cattle feed.
  • Contains 4-5% oil, which is extracted for industrial use.

Husk and Coir Industry

• Composition:
  • Husk forms 30–45% of nut weight at ripening.
  • Contains 30% fibre and 70% coir dust.
• Uses:
  • Raw material for the coir industry – Employs over 0.5 million people and earns foreign exchange.
  • Best quality coir is obtained from 10-month-old nuts.
  • World Coir Production: 0.30 million tonnes, with 50% from India.
• Coir Pith:
  • A by-product from coir fibre extraction, used as:
    • Soil conditioner.
    • Mulching medium.
    • Organic manure for indoor & horticultural crops.
  • Compressed coir pith briquettes are manufactured for easy transport.
• Rubberized Coir Industry:
  • Produces mattresses, pillows, cushions, folding car seats, etc.

Coconut Shell-Based Products

• Shell charcoal.
• Shell-based activated carbon.
• Shell powder.
• Handicrafts & Decorative items (ice cream cups, beer glasses, ladles, forks, buttons, etc.).

Toddy (Sap of Coconut Palm)

• Fresh toddy (unfermented) is collected by tapping an unopened spadix.
• Fermented toddy becomes an alcoholic drink.

Coconut Leaves & Midribs

• Uses:
  • Plaited and used for thatching houses and sheds in rural areas.
  • Used for making “honeymoon huts” in urban areas.
  • Midribs are used to make brooms, commercially manufactured in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Climate and Soil Requirements for Coconut Cultivation

Climate

• Latitude: Grows between 20°N and 20°S from the equator.
• Altitude: Best up to 600m but can grow up to 1000m near the equator.
• Temperature: 27–32°C with 6–7°C diurnal variation.
• Rainfall: 1,800–2,500 mm per year, well-distributed.
• Sunlight: 7.1 hours/day (2,000+ hours/year).
• Humidity: 80–90% RH is ideal. RH below 50% affects growth.

Soil Requirements

• Well-drained soil.
• Deep soil (1.0–1.5m).
• pH range: 5.2 to 8.0.
• Rich in organic matter with good water-holding capacity.

Classification of Coconut Cultivars

Tall Palms (C. nucifera var. typica)

• Tree height: 15–18m, 25–30 fronds.
• First bearing: 7–10 years (late).
• Pollination: Mostly cross-pollinated.
• Nut size: Bigger (56 cm girth).
• Copra content: 170g per nut.
• Oil content: >70%.
• Yield per palm: Lower.
• Lifespan: 60–80 years.

Dwarf Palms (C. nucifera var. Nana)

• Tree height: 5–7m, 22–28 fronds.
• First bearing: 3–4 years (early).
• Pollination: Mostly self-pollinated (true to type).
• Nut size: Smaller (34–38 cm girth).
• Copra content: 92–99g per nut.
• Oil content: 66–70%.
• Yield per palm: Higher.
• Lifespan: 40–50 years.

Notable Cultivars and Hybrids

• Kappadam: Grown in Trichur, Kerala, with large nut size (285g copra).
• Laguna: Tall type from the Philippines.
• San Ramon: Commercial variety from the Philippines.
• Macapuno: Contains jelly-like endosperm inside the nut (delicacy in the Philippines).
• Spicata: Tall variety with unbranched inflorescence, mostly female flowers.

Propagation

Coconut is propagated through seeds (nuts), and the selection of good quality mother palms is crucial.

Selection of Seed Nuts

• Select mature nuts from healthy, high-yielding mother palms.
• Nuts should be at least 12 months old and weigh 700-1200g.
• The kernel should be thick, and water content should be moderate.

Nursery Raising

• Preparation of Nursery Bed: Beds should be well-drained, sandy, and about 15-20 cm high.
• Spacing: Nuts are sown at 30 cm apart in rows, with 60-75 cm between rows.
• Germination period: 90-120 days.
• Transplanting age: 8-10 months old seedlings with 6-8 leaves.

Planting Methods

• Spacing: 7.5m x 7.5m (Traditional), 8m x 8m (Square), or 9m x 9m (Triangular).
• Pit Size: 1m x 1m x 1m.
• Planting Depth: Seedlings should be planted at the same depth as in the nursery.
• Time of Planting: Best planting is during monsoon (June-July) or post-monsoon (September-October).

Nutrient Management

Coconut requires a balanced supply of nutrients for optimum growth and production.

Fertilizer Application (per tree per year)

• Nitrogen (N): 500g
• Phosphorus (P): 320g
• Potassium (K): 1200g
• Magnesium (Mg): 500g
• Organic Manure: 25-50kg FYM/compost per tree.
• Fertilizers should be applied in split doses during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods.

Irrigation Management

• Coconut requires 100-200 liters of water per day in dry seasons.
• Methods of Irrigation:
  • Basin irrigation
  • Drip irrigation (most efficient)
  • Sprinkler irrigation
• Mulching with dry leaves or coconut husks helps in moisture conservation.

Intercropping and Mixed Cropping

• Intercropping with crops like banana, pineapple, and vegetables increases land utilization.
• Mixed cropping with cocoa, black pepper, and nutmeg provides additional income.

Pests and Diseases

Major Pests

• Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) Damages the central shoot and fronds. Control: Use of pheromone traps, biological control (fungus Metarhizium anisopliae).
• Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) Boreholes in the trunk. Control: Removal of infested palms, use of pheromone traps.
• Coconut Eriophyid Mite (Aceria guerreronis) Causes scarring of young nuts. Control: Spray neem oil or acaricides.

Major Diseases

• Bud Rot (Phytophthora palmivora) Wilting and rotting of the growing point. Control: Application of Bordeaux mixture (1%).
• Stem Bleeding (Thielaviopsis paradoxa) Causes black exudation from the stem. Control: Bordeaux paste application on affected areas.
• Leaf Blight (Lasiodiplodia theobromae) Drying of leaflets. Control: Spraying of Bordeaux mixture (1%).

Harvesting

• First yield: 5-6 years after planting.
• Peak production: 10-15 years.
• Harvesting interval: Every 45-60 days.
• Yield: 80-100 nuts per tree annually (under good management).

Post-Harvest Processing

1. Dehusking: Removal of the outer husk.
2. Drying (Copra production): Sun-drying or kiln-drying of coconut kernel.
3. Oil Extraction: Crushing dried copra to obtain coconut oil.
4. Coconut Water Processing: Bottling and packaging of tender coconut water.

Economic Importance

• Food Industry: Coconut oil, coconut milk, desiccated coconut.
• Beverage Industry: Tender coconut water.
• Cosmetic Industry: Coconut oil in hair and skin care products.
• Agriculture: Coir, coconut husk, and shell for making eco-friendly products.
• Industrial Use: Activated carbon, biofuel, and coir-based materials.