Fruit drop in coconut

Speaker- Momin Saeedanavar K.

 Contents
Introduction
Flowering physiology
Button shedding
fruit dropping
Summery
Conclusion
Future trust
 Introduction

The coconut palm is a monocotyledon and tropical

nut palm belongs to the family of the arecaceae
botanical name is known as Cocos nucifera Linn.
The most important and economically valuable
produce of coconut palm is its fruit popularly
known as ‘nut’.

3
KALPAVRIKSHA TREE OF
ABUNDANCE

GOD GIFT TO
MANKIND

TREE OF HAVEN KING OF PALM

NATURE SUPER
4
MARKET
 Coir Kernel
Natural elastic, •Coconut oil
fiber extract from •Coconut toddy & nectar
coconut coir use •Coconut milk
for Floor mat, •Copra
brushes, ropes •Candy, sugar, syrup
and string

Husk and Shell

•As pot for plant Water
•Create bowls and handicraft •Refreshing drink
•Musical instrument •Coconut wine and vinegar
•For fuel and source of charcoal
5
•House hold product and carpet
 Flowers Leaf
Flowers Useful for When dried produce good
creating apparels. quality of paper pulp, hats
Can also produce and mats, fruit trays, fans,
alcohol and vinegar midrib decorate, lamp,
shaded, bag and quality
roof

Stem
Spathe Extract paper pulp,
Use for create produce durable wood
head gear like for furniture, building
helmet and cap construction residual
also use for house and novelty item
hand bag and
sandal trap
Root
It can be used
beverage, dye, stuff
and medicine
6
 Export of major coconut products from India - 2015-16
Sr No. Item Value Rs. (In lakh)
1) Activated Carbon 63208.13
2) Coconut Fatty Soap 3177
3) Hair Cream 1121
4) Coconut Oil 17540
5) Coconut Water 728
6) Copra 5292
7) Desiccated Coconut 5260
8) Dry coconut 17846
9) Fresh coconut 14960
10) Grated/sliced coconut 3916
11) Oval coconut shell 913
12) Shell charcoal 2511
13) VCO 2622
14) Misc coconut products 5924
Total 1,45,024
Statistics :Coconut Development Board 2014-15 7
 World Area, Production and Productivity of Coconut
in Major Coconut Growing Countries 2014-15

Sr. Country Area Production Productivity

No. (000’ ha.) (Million Nuts) (Nut/ha)
1. Indonesia 3610.00 16354.00 4530

2. Philippines 3502.00 14696.00 4196

3. India 2141.00 21665.00 10119

4. Sri Lanka 440.00 2870.00 6523

5. Brazil 251.00 2919.11 11630

6. Papua New 221.00 1483.00 6710

Guinea
7. Thailand 206.00 1001.00 4859

Statistics :Coconut Development Board 2014-15 8

Coconut growing state in India

9
 All India final estimates of Area and Production of
Coconut 2014-15

Sr. Area (000’ ha.) Production Productivity

State
No. (Million Nuts) (Nut/ha)
1. Kerala 649.85 4896.61 7535
2. Karnataka 515.03 5141.15 9982
Tamil
3. 465.11 6917.46 14873
Nadu
Andhra
4. 105.99 1463.56 13808
Pradesh
5. Odisha 50.68 324.89 6411
6. Gujarat 31.63 295.03 9328
West
7. 29.41 372.23 12657
Bengal

Statistics :Coconut Development Board 2014-15 10

 Gujarat final estimates of Area and Production of
Coconut 2014-15
Sr. Production Productivity
District Area (ha.)
No. (Lakh Nuts) (Nut/ha)
1. Junagadh 12060 1199 9950
2. Bhavnagar 3580 352 9850
3. Valsad 3289 269.7 8200
4. Kutch 985.00 83.82 8510
5. Porbandar 690.00 59.00 8550
6. Navsari 552.00 46.48 8420
7. Jamnagar 505.00 42.47 8410
11. Anand 70.00 04.68 6690

Statistics :Coconut Development Board 2014-15 11

Flowering Physiology

12
Flower parts of coconut

13
 Coconut flowers (above photo) don't
much look like most other flowers.
When the palm's flower open, you see
long strands of male flowers (they look
a little like corn on the cob) and
strands of female flowers (little baby
coconuts).

Coconut flower after couple of week 14 http://www.dolphindude.com

 Coconut inflorescence
In coconut palm every leaf exile produce a spadix or inflorescence.
The inflorescence develops within a strong, tough, pointed double
sheath called spathe.
when spathe is fully grown, entire structure collectively called
spadix (inflorescence) would be about 1 to 1.2 m in length and 14 to
16 cm in diameter at broadest point.
This usually occurs from 75 to 90 days after the first appearance of
its tip in the leaf axil. The primordial of the inflorescence being to
from in the leaf axil about 32 month before the opening of the spathe
and formation of a leaf starts about 36 month before the appearance
of spadix in its axil.
This fact is important because it explains why the agronomic
treatment become apparent only after a couple of year of its
application
15 Desai (2004)
MPKV, Rahuri
 Flowers
The coconut palm is monoecious, producing both male and female
flowers on the same inflorescence.

Several hundred male flowers are produced by inflorescence with

only a few female flowers.

The each inflorescence bear 30-35 spike which are densely set with
male flowers.

The male flowers is 250-300/ spike so 8,000 to 10,000/ inflorescence.

The female flowers are found at base of spikelet and each spikelet may
carry one of few female flowers, having already attained the shape of
small coconut.
In India female flowers production is high during March-May, and
lowest during September to January.
MPKV, Rahuri 16 Desai (2004)
Male and female Flowers
The male flower has six thin, yellow Perianth leaves
surrounding six stamens. In the centre of flower
are three nectar gland, which attract insect

When the flower opens, the anther are split and

releasing large quantities of yellow pollen

The female flower of ‘button’ is Globose and consist of

six fleshy Pearianth leaves surrounding the
reproductive tissue

Pistil is white and three ridges which converge at tip.

When the flower is ripe, these ridges split open
exposing the sticky surface of the stigma, which
is extended as three erect teeth 17
 Flowering phase

In the coconut palm, The female flowers do not

especially in the tall generally become receptive
variety, there is a district until all male flowers in the
gap between the male and same spadix have shed their
female phases pollen

This makes cross

In the dwarf variety palms
pollination, however,
and hybrid, the interval
slightly chance of self
between the two phases is
pollination also exist from
either nil or negligible,
succeeding inflorescence,
therefore increasing self
especially during the
pollination
summer season
18
MPKV, Rahuri Desai (2004)
 No overlapping
of phase

There is
Overlapping of
overlapping of
the female phase Classification female phase of
is partly by the
male phase of the
on Flowering the first
Phase inflorescence
same
by the male
inflorescence
phase

The female phase

is entirely covered
by the male phase
of the same
inflorescences
MPKV, Rahuri Desai (2004) 19
 Male phase
In the tall male phase (opening of the first flower to the fall of
the last) being immediately after the spathe is opened

The opening of the spathe coincides with the effective

emission of pollen by the male flowers

The male flowers after opening shed their pollen for about 24
hrs. and then drop off

Anthesis will continue for about 18 to 20 days because of the

fact that maturation of inflorescence is a progressive process,
starting from upper to the lowers spikelet and from top to
bottom on each spikelet

MPKV, Rahuri 20 Desai (2004)

 Female phase
Normally female flowers begin to open by the 21st
day, during summer month the flowers may open even
from the 18th day onward. The female phase i.e the
period from the opening of the first flowers to the
opening of the last female flowers is from 4 to 7 days

During this phase the receptivity of the flower

remain intact, for a period start from 1 to 2 day
after opening and stretches up to a maximum of 3
days

When the stigma is receptive a clear sweet nector is

found secreted from the flower

MPKV, Rahuri 21 Desai (2004)

 Pollination in coconut

• Coconuts are
• Essentially a wind-pollinated • The European honey
coconut flower but increased bee (Apis mellifera)
has to be yields (up to and the Asian honey
successfully double) when bee (Apis cerana)
pollinated to start beehives are are outstanding
the development presented or pollinators of
of a nut artificial coconut palms
pollination are
done in orchard 22
http://beephilippines.info/coconut-yields/
 Fruit set

Since far more female

After pollination the flowers or button are
unfertilized flowers turn usually produced than the
brown and fall from the palm can sustain to the
inflorescence. A number of stage of maturity, it is not
fertilized flowers also fail uncommon to observe the
to develop properly and shedding of 50 to 70 per
cent of the button produced,
they too are shed generally not more than 25
MPKV, Rahuri
23 to 40 per cent of the female
Desai (2004)
 The conditions of Button shedding

Button and immature nut shedding before and after

fertilization is common problem and occurs in all varieties of
coconut

The shedding of button seldom took place before they had attained
stigmatic receptivity

The majority of the shed button were the non-fertilized ones

In general, about one third of the button produces in an

inflorescence develop into nuts

The most of button were shed within a period of two months of

opening of inflorescence
24
MPKV, Rahuri Desai (2004)
 Fruit dropping

It was reported that nut

loses 24% during the first
two month, 40% during the
second two month and 2%
during third two month of
their development.
Thereafter nut losses
through shedding is
negligible.
25
Abeywardena and Mathes (1971)
 Table No. 1 Progress of bunch coconut

When At end of
Spathe 2 4 6 8 10
opens months months months months months

Mean number
of female
16.1 12.3 5.8 5.5 5.4 5.3
flower or
nut/bunch
% Nut
remaining in 100 76.2 36.1 34.2 33.5 33.1
bunch
% Nut fall
during each
23.8 40.1 1.9 0.7 0.4
two month
period
Coconut Research Institute, Ceylon 26 Abeywardena and Mathes (1971)
 Production of
Fruit drops barren nuts

Defective pollination
and fertilization

Fruit drops are major Formation of

problem of coconut abscission layer
production which
adversely affected the Unfavourable soil
yield to a large extend and climatic
this may be caused by condition

Nutritional
deficiency

Disease and pest

27
Tropical Fruits Vol-1 Bose T.K and Mitra S.K.
 1. Production of barren nuts
 The phenomenon of the barren nuts (without or with imperfectly
developed kernel) is ancient as the cultivation of coconut
 Investigation carried out of this problem at kasargold, Kerala it was
revealed that in the coconut plantation certain tree produce a large
number of barren nuts
 The nuts are generally oblong in shape and quality of husk produced is
very much less as compare to normal one, often these nuts are seen with
the shell and kernel improperly develop, fungal infection are also seen
 This barren nut due to defective fertilization may one of the possible
reason to be considered
 Nutritional deficiency in palm is also consider to be another reason for
barren nut
 The formation of coconut meat (kernel) required potash and boron
which essential for the translocation of the starch from leaves to nut.

28
Tropical Fruits Vol-1 Bose and Mitra
Barren nuts

29
 2. Defective pollination and fertilization

Imperfect pollination or lack of pollination is considered importance

factor for shedding of button

The fall of button was found to be due to failure in fertilization caused

by the abortion of carpel in the female flowers

30
Tropical Fruits Vol-1 Bose T.K . and Mitra S.K.
Graph 1. Response of pollen germination to temperature

31
Sri Lanka Ranasinghe et al. (2015)
 Table 2. The contribution of wind and insect, average fruit set of
coconut inflorescence with different pollination treatments by self
pollination and out crossing , - (No), + (Yes).

Meting strategy
Treatments Emascu Pollination Self Out Fruit set (%)
lation vector pollination crossing
Control + - - - 0a
Anemophily 1 + Wind - + 9.50 ± 1.46 b
Anemophily 2 - Wind + + 18.59 ± 1.92 c
Hand pollination + Hand - + 21.11 ± 1.82 c
Insect + 29.14 ± 2.32
Open pollination - + +
Wind d
Insect +
Anemophily + 28.41 ± 2.25
+ Wind - +
Entemophily d

32
Canada Melendez et al. (2004)
 • As the in shedding of button
3.Formation followed a period of drought, it
was felt that formation of
of abscission abscission layer at the place of
attachment to the stalk may
layer perhaps, cause shedding as result
of severe drought

• It may be controlled by the

spraying of growth regulator
Control of and apply specific irrigation
abscission layer at dry spell of month

33
Tropical Fruits, Vol-1 Bose T.K and Mitra S.K.
Table 3. Intensity of button shedding in the palm during third and fourth fortnight
of bunch opening as influenced by the variety and growth regulators
Shedding of button during Shedding of button during
Treatments
third fortnight fourth fortnight
Variety Rainy Summer Rainy Summer
Tall (V1) 16.50 1.86 20.26 17.24
Hybrid (V2) 20.04 17.39 19.47 18.49
C. D. (P=0.05) 0.49 0.67 NS 0.11
Growth regulators
Control (G0) 38.03 34.28 25.31 23.88
GA3 450 ppm (G1) 19.68 18.87 23.61 20.40
NAA 30 ppm (G2) 14.71 13.36 18.66 15.96
2,4-D 30ppm (G3) 8.40 8.17 16.73 13.95
IBA 30 ppm (G4) 22.34 21.68 26.11 20.37
2,4 D + IBA (G5) 16.10 17.05 18.83 18.97
G3+Coconut water(G6) 8.63 6.48 9.83 11.57
C. D. (P=0.05) 0.91 1.25 34 0.18 0.20
First Spray about 2 week after stigmatic receptivity and
Bhuvnaswar second spray after seven days of the first spray
Sahoo et al. (2006)
 Cont….
Treatments Shedding of button during third Shedding of button during fourth
fortnight fortnight
Interaction Rainy Summer Rainy Summer
V1 X G0 37.67 33.34 25.01 23.81
V1 X G1 16.67 21.06 25.31 18.57
V1 X G2 13.27 12.66 19.23 16.14
V1 X G3 5.99 6.25 18.82 13.56
V1 X G4 19.22 22.13 27.28 19.51
V1 X G5 12.84 17.65 20.62 17.37
V1 X G6 9.54 4.90 12.98 11.75
V2 X G0 37.38 35.22 25.61 23.94
V2 X G1 22.40 16.67 23.90 22.22
V2 X G2 16.15 14.09 18.08 15.78
V2 X G3 10.80 10.09 14.63 14.34
V2 X G4 25.4 21.22 24.93 21.23
V2 X G5 19.35 16.44 17.04 22.56
V2 X G6 7.71 8.05 12.11 11.39
35
C. D. (P=0.05) 1.29 1.76 0.26 0.29
 Table 4. Intensity of button shedding and pre mature nuts within four and six month
of bunch opening in coconut palm as influenced by the variety and growth regulators

Shedding of button within 4 Shedding of button within 6

Treatments
month of bunch opening (%) month of bunch opening (%)
Variety Rainy Summer Rainy Summer
Tall (V1) 58.50 58.34 64.32 60.37
Hybrid (V2) 59.74 62.29 65.03 65.27
C. D. (P=0.05) NS 0.95 0.65 0.73
Growth regulators
Control (G0) 76.44 76.45 81.62 78.02
GA3 450 ppm (G1) 67.13 70.37 72.72 70.37
NAA 30 ppm (G2) 53.61 56.24 59.28 58.87
2,4-D 30ppm (G3) 44.47 45.86 53.34 50.58
IBA 30 ppm (G4) 75.0 70.15 80.16 75.0
2,4 D + IBA (G5) 58.62 64.62 62.32 65.52
G3 +Coconut water (G6) 40.31 38.52 43.25 41.44
C. D. (P=0.05) 1.82 36 1.77 1.22 1.36
Bhuvnaswar Sahoo et al. (2006)
 Cont….
Treatments Shedding of button within fourth Shedding of button within sixth
month of bunch opening (%) month of bunch opening (%)
Interaction Rainy Summer Rainy Summer
V1 X G 0 72.46 74.62 81.25 77.76
V1 X G 1 63.64 65.39 72.59 66.68
V1 X G 2 54.23 51.05 61.90 51.05
V1 X G 3 45.77 41.69 48.22 47.94
V1 X G 4 71.86 74.52 78.77 74.52
V1 X G 5 60.06 60.76 64.12 60.76
V1 X G 6 41.48 39.06 43.41 43.89
V2 X G 0 80.42 78.28 82.04 78.28
V2 X G 1 63.64 74.06 72.84 74.06
V2 X G 2 52.98 61.42 56.66 66.68
V2 X G 3 43.17 50.02 58.45 53.22
V2 X G 4 78.13 65.77 81.55 75.77
V2 X G 5 57.18 68.48 60.60 69.87
V2 X G 6 39.14 37.98 43.09 38.98
37
C. D. (P=0.05) 2.58 2.50 1.72 1.92
 Graph 2. Natural Pattern and extent of
fruit abscission
Fruit abscission

Philippines Carlos et al. (1966)

Week after stigmatic receptivity 38

 Graph 3. Fruit Set in coconut as affected by gibberellic
acid spray

Fruit set Fruit set

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 50 150 450
GA3 Concentration (ppm)
39
GA3 was applied 1 week after stigmatic
Philippines Carlos et al. (1966)
receptivity with hand atomizer
Table 5. Nut yield and female flower production (numbers and palm)
and yield in WCT as influenced by irrigation under the laterite soil
Female
Treatments Nut yield
flowers
T1 – Drip irrigation at 33 per cent E0
184.5 68.2
daily
T2 – Drip irrigation at 66 per cent E0
214.7 96.5
daily
T3 – Drip irrigation at 100 per cent
200.8 89.8
E0 daily
T4 – Basin irrigation at 100 per cent
of E0 applied once in 4 days 225.5 98.2
through hose pipe
T4 – Rainfed control 157.4 52.6
C. D. (P=0.05) 25.6 9.5
CPCRI, Kerala 40 Dhanapal et al. (2004)
Graph 4. Number of female flowers per inflorescence under different
water regimes

T1 Control (No irrigation )

T2 Irrigation with 40 liter of water/ palm/day
T3 80 liter of water/palm/day after 14-days rain-free period
Sri Lanka 41 Nainanayake et al.(2008)
 Graph 5. Final coconut yield under different water regimes.

T1 Control (No irrigation )

T2 Irrigation with 40 liter of water/ palm/day
T3 80 liter of water/palm/day after 14-days rain-free period
Sri Lanka Nainanayake et al.(2008)
42
 4. Unfavourable soil and climatic condition

It was indicated that shedding of button occurred not only

when there was deficit of moisture but also during wettest
time of the year.

According to Patel (1938), shedding of button was very high

during August, September and November and slightly lower
during other month

He further noted that shedding of button was more severe on

heavy soil than on lighter soil

43
Tropical Fruits, Vol-1 Bose T.K. and Mitra S.K.
 Table 6. Mean data per production of female flower of different
varieties in different season
Variety Numbers of female flowers produced
Summer Rainy Winter Mean
MGD(Malayan Green Dwarf) 36.0 53.50 42.33 43.94
COD (Chowghat Orange 32.83 63.0 54.33 50.06
Dwarf)
GBD (Gangabondam) 106.5 142 75.17 107.89
PHO (Philippines Ordinary) 37.67 47.83 56.67 47.39
CUAM (Guam) 25.33 30.17 32.83 29.44
MYD (Malayan Yellow Dwarf) 49.83 53.33 57.50 53.56
FMS(Federated Malayan States) 23.33 45.0 23.33 30.56
LO (Laccadive Ordinary) 48.0 62.50 42.83 51.11
AO (Andaman Ordinary) 41.83 47.83 41.50 43.72
SKL (Sakhigopal Local) 49.17 50.67 31.83 43.89
Mean 45.07 59.58 45.83
Var. Season Interaction (S X V)
S.Em. (±) 3.682 1.87 5.93
C. D. (P=0.05) 10.94 5.36 16.93
44
Orrissa Dash et al. (2006)
Table 7. Mean data retention of buttons of different varieties in different
season
Variety % of button shedding after 2 month of spadix opening
Summer Rainy Winter Mean
MGD 39.46 22.78 42.94 35.06
COD 38.45 20.80 49.65 36.30
GBD 56.77 35.31 41.12 44.34
PHO 42.22 22.84 50.67 38.58
CUAM 38.84 24.07 29.71 28.87
MYD 43.53 32.28 34.0 36.94
FMS 51.52 21.27 55.0 42.60
LO 51.80 25.32 36.55 37.82
AO 52.61 26.31 45.54 41.49
SKL 41.78 44.21 47.05 42.60
Mean 45.70 27.60 42.60
Var. Season Interaction (S X V)
S.Em. (±) 1.58 0.791 2.501
C. D. (P=0.05) 4.7 2.26 7.15
Orissa 45 Dash et al. (2006)
 Table 8. Mean data number of nut retained till maturity of different
varieties in different season
Variety Numbers of nut retained till maturity
Summer Rainy Winter Mean
MGD 11.67 22.33 12.50 15.5
COD 13.0 24.33 12.17 16.5
GBD 23.17 25.83 17.83 22.28
PHO 5.83 17.33 10.17 11.11
CUAM 8.0 11.50 7.50 9.0
MYD 12.17 17.17 11.50 13.61
FMS 5.33 14.17 4.0 7.83
LO 9.50 14.83 6.17 10.17
AO 10.50 17.83 7.33 11.89
SKL 12.67 17.33 5.67 11.89
Mean 11.78 18.27 9.48
Var. Season Interaction (S X V)
S.Em. (±) 0.98 0.483 1.527
C. D. (P=0.05) 2.91 1.38 4.36

Orrissa 46 Dash et al. (2006)

 Table 9. Monthly variation in number of female flower per
inflorescence of five coconut cultivar
number of female flower per
inflorescence Month
Month Mean
Zanz Cultivar X
ECT Hazari J. Tall Java Month
ibar Cultivar
Jan. 16.12 19.50 23.75 24.50 9.0 18.57
S.Em
Feb. 21.16 23.25 19.0 28.0 15.50 21.38 . (±)
March 24.04 16.25 12.50 45.0 14.67 22.49 4.407 2.84 9.85
April 25.08 50.25 16.25 42.0 16.50 30.0
35.7 C. D.
May 21.62 47.16 28.50 57.5 24.0 (P=
5 NS 8.0 NS
0.05)
June 19.87 29.58 14.0 44.7 22.50 26.14
July 25.0 31.0 40.0 25.2 21.25 28.50
Aug. 31.25 31.0 24.75 29.5 20.33 27.36
Sep. 39.25 26.33 31.25 31.2 34.50 32.51
Oct. 31.12 26.83 30.75 27.7 24.83 28.25
Nov. 19.75 32.25 37.75 22.0 26.0 27.55 Samanta et al. (2013)
Dec. 8.16 25.25 17.25 7.2 17.17 15.01
Mean 23.53 29.88 24.64 32.0 20.52 47 West Bengal
 Table 10. Monthly variation in percentage of nut set of five
coconut cultivar
Month Percentage of nut set Mean
Mo Month
ECT Hazar J. Tall Java Zanzibar nth Cultivar X
i CV.
Jan. 35.1 40.3 37.5 35.7 46.7 39.1
S.Em
Feb. 34.9 36.9 38.0 21.0 27.4 31.7 2.4 1.552 5.375
. (±)
March 31.5 29.1 32.7 24.9 24.1 28.5
April 25.2 27.1 30.2 22.6 25.7 26.2 C. D.
May 21.9 18.4 25.8 15.8 22.7 20.9 (P= 6.8 NS NS
0.05)
June 26.5 24.3 28.6 23.1 25.9 25.7
July 28.5 30.8 20.2 26.5 27.2 26.6
Aug. 27.9 25.2 28.2 29.2 30.5 28.2
Sep. 25.2 29.5 24.8 34.0 28.1 28.3
Oct. 25.0 25.8 31.0 24.3 25.9 26.4
Nov. 34.4 26.7 26.1 38.1 28.4 30.7
Dec. 42.8 39.9 41.5 46.7 43.2 42.8 Samanta et al. (2013)
Mean 29.9 29.5 30.4 28.5 29.7
48 West Bengal
Bose T.K and Mitra S.K. Tropical Fruits Vol-1
49
The shedding of button may also
occur due to
the deficiency of micronutrient
in the soil
Application of nitrogenous
manure has been found to
increase setting and yield.
Nutritional deficiency in soil is consider to
be another factor responsible for shedding
of buttons
5. Nutritional deficiency
 Table 11. Effect of INM yield attributes in coconut (8 years
pooled data)
No. of
Nut
female Nut setting Fruit Drop
Treatments yield/palm
flowers/ percentage percentage
/year
plant
T1 –Control (No manures and
168.9 26.0 58.15 65.57
fertilizers)
T2 - Recommended dose of
fertilizers (500:320:1200 N, P2O5 225.5 27.8 73.31 67.49
, K2O/ palm/year)
T3 - CCP (compost coir pith) on
equivalent N basis+ balance 251.8 28.8 84.54 66.42
quantity of P and K as fertilizers
T4 - 50 per cent N as CCP +
balance NPK as fertilizers
244.4 29.0 82.19 66.37

T5 -Neem cake+ Bone meal+ ash

(on nutrients equivalent basis)
235.0 30.8 85.01 63.82
C. D. (P=0.05) 14.90 2.39 6.15
50
AICRP, Karnataka Basavaraju and Hanumanthappa (2010)
 Table 12. Cumulative mean nut yields before and after experimentation
and no. of female flowers/palm/year as influenced INM treatments
Post
Post % increase Increase in
treatment
treatment nut of nut yield nut yield
Treatments nut yield
yield mean/ over Pre over the
mean/
palm/year treatment control
palm/year
T1 –Control (No fertilizers
6 47.0 23.73 -
and no manure )
T2 –Recommended
chemical fertilizers (1 kg 74 121.0 63.96 2.58 (fold)
urea
+ 20kg SSP+ 2.5 kg MOP)
T3 –Composted coir pith 71 120.0 68.05 2.57 (fold)
T4 –50% N as CCP+
69 139.0 100.21 2.98 (fold)
balance NPK as fertilizers
T5 –Neem cake+ Bone
meal+ Ash on equivalent 60 87.0 45.11 1.87 (fold)
nutrient basis
C. D. (P=0.05) 12.56 13.84 -
51
HRS, AP Kalpana et al. (2008)
Table 13.Effect of INM treatments and cropping systems on yield
attributes, nut yields of coconut
Cropping Mean number of Mean nut yield Fruit drop
system female /palm/year Percentage
flowers/palm/year
T1 T2 T1 T2 T1 T2

Model I 345.56 287.90 137.50 102.70 60.20 64.32

Model II 305.76 276.56 130.68 96.47 57.26 65.11
Model III 220.54 196.05 71.14 68.38 67.74 65.12
Mean 290.62 253.43 113.10 89.18 61.0 64.80
Model I Comprised of Cocoa, pepper, cinnamon, T1 50% Rec. doze of
pineapple, elephnat foot yam, banana, Fertilizer+ 50%
turmeric are planted at recommended organic
sapcing
T2 100% organic
Model II Pepper,banana,pineapple,elephant foot yam,
turmeric, colocasi are planted at
recommended sapcing
Model III Control (Monocropping) only coconut are 52
ARS, AP planted at recommended sapcing Kalpana et al. (2006)
 Table 14. Number of female flower, nut setting percentage, and yield
influenced by fertigation treatment ( 5 years pooled data)

Number of Yield
Nut setting Fruit drop
Treatments female flower/ (Nut/Palm
percentage percentage
plant /year)
T1 - Control
249.92 28.54 68.31 72.67
(No fertilizer)
T2 - 25% of Rec. NPK
264.17 29.57 73.95 72.01
(Drip)
T3-50% of Rec. NPK
279.47 31.22 81.99 70.66
(Drip)
T4 - 75% of Rec. NPK
291.81 32.02 87.41 70.05
(Drip)
T5 -100% of Rec. NPK
(Drip) 304.36 33.58 95.26 68.70
T6-100% of Rec. NPK
290.64 31.62 87.57 69.86
(Soil)
C. D. (P=0.05) 17.91 2.55 8.11
53
AICRP, Karnataka Basavaraju et al. (2014)
 Boron deficiency

http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/
Horti Farm ,AAU,
54 Anand
 Zinc deficiency

http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/

http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/
55
 Table 15. Yield and yield attributes of deficient palms
before and after treatment with borax

Number of
Number of
female Setting %
nut/palm
flower/palm
Before
190 25 10.6
treatment
After 3 year
of treatment 344 41 19.0

% increase 81 64 79

500 g of borax a applied at in 2 split doze along with recommended doze of fertilizer

CPCRI, Kerala 56 Rajagopal (2001)

 Table 16. Effect of micronutrients on flowering and yield characters of
coconut cv. Hybrid DxT
Treatments No. of female No. of fruit No. of harvested
Flowers/ Spadix set/spadix nuts/spadix
T1 - FeSO4- 1% 36.21 18.79 16.09
T2 - FeSO4- 2% 38.12 20.0 17.82
T3 - ZnSO4- 1% 35.51 18.16 15.91
T4 - ZnSO4- 2% 36.68 19.52 17.06
T5- Borax-0.5% 33.49 18.0 15.32
T6- Borax- 1% 36.42 19.33 16.18
T7- T1+ T3 39.58 21.33 18.00
T8- T2+ T4 34.22 17.59 15.02
T9- T1+ T3+ T5 44.03 23.0 18.92
T10- T2+ T4+T6 34.45 16.16 14.39
T11-Water spray 33.91 17.23 14.47
T12- Control 30.60 15.87 14.02
Sem. (±) 2.30 1.02 0.86
C.D. (P=0.05) 6.67 3.0 2.51
CV % NAU, Navsari 11.08 9.44 57 9.21 Nistane et al.(2011)
 6. Disease and pest

Investigation is carried out in India and Philippines showed that

falling of button and immature nut was due to infection by
fungus Phtophthora spp and in kenya and Africa it was due to
Colletorichum spp

Bordex mixture as preventive against shedding of immature

The shedding of button was found to largely due to mite, moth,

beetal, rats, bug and ants

58
Tropical Fruits, Vol-1 Bose T.K. and Mitra S.K.
 Mite infection Coconut fruits

Nut harvested from a severely

infested garden

severely warting, cracking and

Development of gummy are found on nut
59
symptoms in young nuts
Mite control Coconut fruits
“Peduncle bending’
The peduncle of selected
branches of two and tree
months old buttons were
banded with two layer of
thin cloth (3 cm width ) and
tied with thread. The cloth
preferred of banding was of
absorbable cotton cloth, 2
ml of monocrotophose
diluted in water in 1:1 ratio

60
 Rat infestations in coconut

Production technology of coconut by Coconut development Board 61

 Control of rats in coconut

Entry of rats on to the

trunk can be prevented
by fixing mechanical
barriers up to 2m
height from ground
level using 40cm sized
G.I. sheets.

62
Production technology of coconut by Coconut development Board
 Table 17. Number of fallen and damaged nut by rat

Damage Button Small Medium Large Total % of

(5-10 (11-16 (>16cm ) No. of total
cm) cm) nut No. nuts
Basal 8 529 696 996 2,229 67
Lateral 3 173 274 397 847 25
Distal 1 74 25 164 264 8
Total 12 776 995 1,557 3,340 -
% of 0.4 23.2 29.8 46.6 - -
total

Basal-damage near the peduncle

Lateral – On the side
Distal- at terminal portion
63 Hoque and Fiedler (1988)
Philippines
 Table 18. Estimated of nut loss due to rats and harvested nuts before
and during treatment
Control Duration Mean damage nut Mean Harvest nut Har. nut Source
method of /palm/month /palm/month increase
treatment Pre- Post- Pre- Post-
treatment treatment treatment treatment

Crown- 7 mo 0.12 0.02 2.7 4.3 59.3 Hoque,

baiting 1983
Ground- 7 mo 0.65 0.04 2.5 4.7 58.0 Hoque,
baiting 1983
Ground- 1 yr 1.30 0.34 2.3 3.5 52.2 Gailego et
baiting al. 1981
Trunk- 1yr 0.64 0.20 2.7 3.1 14.8 Gailego et
baiting al. 1981
Crown- 1 yr 0.22 0.02 2.7 6.7 148.1 Redinger &
baiting libay,1980
Bi-weekiy 5 mo 0.16 0.06 2.2 6.4 190.9 Suitan, 1987
trapping
Ground- 1 yr 0.99 0.31 3..0 5.8 93.3 Sanchez et
baiting al. 1976

 Placing bait directly in the crown (crown baiting) 64

Philippines Hoque and Fiedler (1988)
 Table 19. Per cent coconut palm showing
symptoms of Tatipaka disease
Symptoms Per cent disease Per cent Healthy
palm showing the palm showing the
symptoms symptoms
Premature 2.0 0.0
barrenness
Control of disease 1. Application of Mgso4 at 1kg/palm +
borax 25 g/palm applied every year
2. Applied tetracycline hydro-chloride
3 g /palm
3. West Cost Tall, Jamica tall and Fiji var.
Have tolerant to this disease

Ambajipetha, A.P 65 Srinivasulu (2007)

 Summery
Sr No. Causes of fruit Control
drops
1. Defective pollination •Open pollination with insect and wind and pollination by
and fertilization Anemophily + Entomophily with emasculation and out
crossing.
2. Abscission layer •Spray 2,4-D @ 30 ppm+ coconut water,
•Spray GA3 @ 450 ppm,
•Basin irrigation at 100 per cent of E 0 applied once in 4 days
through hose pipe
•80 liter of water/palm/day after 14-days rain-free period
3. Unfavourable climatic •Adopt suitable cultivar, rainy and summer season flowering
condition minimum fruit drops
4. Nutritional deficiency •Applied recommended dose of fertilizer (1000:500:1500 N,
P2O5 , K2O/ palm/year),
•Neem cake+ bone meal+ ash,
•50% N CCP+ balance NPK, *100% of Rec. NPK through drip,
•500 g. borax in 2 split doze along with recommended dose of
fertilizer,
•Application of FeSO4- 1% + ZnSO4- 1%+ Borax- 0.5%.
5. Disease and pest Control of pest and disease with insecticide, pesticide and
fungicide
66
 Conclusion
 From on going discussion, it can be concluded that fruit drops
are complex phenomena which adversely affected the yield to a
large extend and decrease productivity of coconut
 Which may be cause by the defective pollination and
fertilization, formation of abscission layer, unfavourable soil and
climatic condition, nutritional deficiency and disease and pest
 After recognize suitable reason for fruit drops and applied 2,4-D
30 ppm + coconut water or GA3 450 ppm or 80 liter of
water/day/palm, or INM or 500 g. Borax or adopted suitable
cultivar with cross pollination by wind and control of pest and
diseases
67
 Future thrust
 Need of further studies on barren nuts in coconut plant
 Trained human resource for technology dissemination
 Evolve techniques for flowering regulation in coconut
 Studies pollen viability, pollen germination and pollen storage
 Explore techniques or develop cultivar which are reducing gap
between male and female phase
 Develop suitable and easy spraying techniques for tall variety
of coconut
68
Thank you
For your
Attention