Discussion on Recent Scientific Perspectives of Best Farmers Nutrient Management Practices for Coconut (Cocos nucifera) in Kerala

Field investigation was undertaken during 2010-11 in best farmer managed coconut gardens located
in various agro ecological units (AEUs) of Kerala, India. The objectives were determination of
production potential of coconut, assessment of yield disparity between best and common farmer
managed coconut gardens and development of nutrient management plan for coconut based on best
farmers’ management practice inorder to reduce yield disparity. A total of 53 high yielding coconut
gardens located in 17 AEUs of Kerala were identified through stratified random sampling and studied.
Production potential of coconut varied from 60 to 250 nuts palm-1 year-1 in AEUs. AEUs having high
production potential were Onattukara Sandy Plain, Northern Laterites, Southern Laterites and
Southern Coastal Plains with yields of 250, 208, 180 and 180 nuts/palm/year respectively. AEUs
having low production potential were Kole Lands, Wayanad Central Plateau, Kuttanad and North
Central Laterites with yields of 60, 86, 100 and 110 nuts/palm/year respectively. Yield disparity in
AEUs varied from 36 to 987 per cent. Nutrient management plan proposed for coconut intended to
reduce yield disparity consists of application of 1 kg burnt lime, on farm composting with organic
manures 60 kg comprising of 30 kg each of green leaf manure and farm yard manure, 1 kg
Factamfos, 0.5 kg muriate of potash, 1.5 kg common salt, 0.5 kg magnesium sulphate and 50 g borax
to each palm every year.