Coconut palm which is known as "Kalpa Vriksham" is a versatile palm with varied uses. Every part of it is useful for mankind. A.P. occupies an area of 92026 Ha with a production of 796 Million nuts. It is mostly grown in the coastal districts. The major coconut growing tracts are East Godavari, West Godavari, Srikakulam, Chittoor, Vizianagaram, Krishna and Khammam etc.

CLIMATE

Coconut grows well in Warm / humid climate, well drained soil with high precipitation are comparatively well distributed even a low rain fall of 1000 mm is sufficient for commercial yields.

SEASON

Planting is done from June-July in upland area and from October-November in low lying and heavy rainfull areas.

SOILS

Coastal sandy,loam and alluvial soils of Godavari delta are most suitable. Coconut can also be grown in laterite soils with hard pan upto a depth of 2 metres and red-sandy loam soils with a pH ranging from 5.2 to 8.0.

VARIETIES

East Coast Tall : Gangbondam, Godavari Ganga, Laccadive ordinary, Double Century.

Hybrids :- T * D, D * T.

PLANTING

Use of 9-12 months old seedlings of planting in pits dug to a dimension of 1*1*1m and filled with a mixture of top soil and farmyard manure or compost in equal proportion. Add sand to this mixture if the soil is heavy black clay. The seedling is planted at the centre of pit and the soil is well compacted and support is to be provided. Give a spacing of 8 * 8m for hybrids and tall varieties in the main field.

MANURES AND FERTILIZERS

Apply 1.5 Kg. Urea 2 Kg. super phosphate and 2.5 Kg. muriate of potash per palm per year in two equal split doses once in June-July and again in October-November. For young plants 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 of this dosage may be given in 1st, 2nd and 3rd years after planting respectively and full dose from 4th year onwards. This is to be applied in a shallow trench made at 0.5 to 1.5m away from trunk depending on age of the palm.

IRRIGATION

Depending on the soil conditions the frequency of the irrigation has to be increased. If the summer is severe irrigation should be given through basins once in 7-10 days.

PLANT PROTECTION

Black Headed Cateroillar : The disease Damages the leaves by scraping green matter. Caterpillar lives in galleries made of silk and excreta on the lower surface of the leaves. In case of severe attack whole plantation presents a burnt up appearance from a distance. Results in poor yield.

Control : Root Feeding Technique : Expose some root by excavating the soil at the base of the palm. Select a matured brown pencil thick root near the base and cut without damaging the cut end. Insert the cut end of root into a small polythene cover and place in it i.e. 20% monocrotopes at 10 ml per palm diluted with an equal quantity of water. The solution will be absorbed by the palm within 24 hrs. If it is not absorbed by the palm within this time change the root on the following day of treatment with solution. The pest will be controlled within 7 to 10 days after treatment. Harvest all the matured nuts before the treatment.

Red Palm Weevil : Grubs feed soft tissues in the trunk of 2-10 years old palms. Exudation of brownish fluid and protruding of chewed fibres can be seen from the holes present on the trunk.

Control : Treat the affected palm by root feeding with Monocrotophos 10 ml + 10 ml of water.

Rhinoceros beetle : Beetle bores into unopened tender fronds and spathes and throws chewed fibrous mass. This mass is commonly seen in the burrow made by the beetle at crown region and its presence indicates pest activity.

Control : Hook out the beetle from the crown and kill it. Fill the hole and leaf axils with carbaryl 3 gm/lit of water.

Stem Bleeding : Extudation of a brownish black liquid through growth cracks on the trunk. This fluid turns black as it dries. Tissues below the bleeding patch become decayed. In young palms tissues rot internally and on piercing the stem a yellow fluid rushes out.

Control : Scrape out the rotten portion and treat the area with Bordeaux paste.

Base Stem Rot : Intially infects the roots. The first symptom is the appearance of oozing of reddish brownfluid from growth cracks at the base of the trunk. The lesions spread linearly and sideways. Meanwhile the lower whorl of leaves starts drooping and dry prematurely.

Control : Cut and remove all dead roots and a few surroundings healthy roots. Drench the cut ends of roots with a mixture of 1.5 g of Aureofungin solution + 1gm. copper sulphate in 5 ml. of water and cover the root system after a while. Repeat the treatment after 15 days.

Tatipaka Disease : In early stages the tatipaka diseased palms bear heavily and later there will be reduction in bearing below normal level, leaves turn yellow, leaf size both in length and breadth is reduced and lean in appearance. In some diseased palms leaves bend abnormally and curvesup. Root rot is also high in tatipaka diseased palms.

Control : Collecting and burning of affected palms. Collection of seednuts from diseased palms should be avoided.

Harvesting is done at 30 days intervals during summer and 45 days interval during rainy season.