Integrated Nutrient Management in East Coast Tall Coconut
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Author:S. Mohandas
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:99, Issue:jan-mar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100022
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during 2006-2009, on 29 years old East Coast Tall (ECT)
coconut palms at Coconut Research Station, Veppankulam to explore the possibility of nitrogen
substitution through organic manure. It was aimed to substitute 50 per cent of recommended
nitrogen through organic manure. There were five treatments viz., T 1 - Absolute control, T 2 -
Recommended NPK (560:320:1200 g/palm/year), T 3 - 100% N as Composted Coir Pith (CCP) +
balance PK as fertilizer, T 4 - 50 % N as CCP + balance NPK as fertilizer and T 5 - Neem cake (10 kg)
+ ash (20 kg), bonemeal (2kg). The experimental results proved that 50 % nitrogen substitution
through organic manure (CCP) and remaining 50 % nitrogen through fertilizers (T 4 ) recorded
comparable mean annual nut yield (111 and 117 nuts / palm / year, respectively, in 2008 and
2009) and other yield contributing parameters viz., no. of functional leaves, no. of bunches
and no. of female flowers, with 100% NPK through fertilizers (T 2 ). However, the soil fertility
viz., soil available NPK and index leaf NPK content were significantly higher due to chemical
fertilizers at their recommended level. Hence, in coconut nutrition, 50 per cent nitrogen can
be substituted through organics (CCP) and this may pave the way for gradual replacement of
chemical fertilizer in coconut garden in the long run by way of waste recycling.
Key words : Integrated Nutrient Management, composted coil paith, coconut yield, economics.