Resource Book on Horticulture Nursery Management

Coconut (Cocos nucifera)
Mother Palm Selection:
The palm must have a straight stout trunk with even growth and closely spaced leaf
scars, spherical or semi-spherical crown with short fronds, short and stout bunch stalks
without the tendency to drooping, more than 30 leaves and 12 inflorescences carried
evenly on the crown, inflorescence with 25 or more female flowers, consistent yield of
over 100 nuts per year, 150g copra per nut, absence of disease and pest incidence.
Method of Seedling Production:
1. Maturity of Seed Nut: Generally, 10-12 month old mature nuts are used for seed
purpose. The mature nuts should be harvested when at least one nut in the oldest
bunch starts to dry.
2. Method of Harvest: Rope harvest of seed nuts is recommended from the trees that
are very tall and in places where the ground is hard.
3. Selection of Seed Nuts: Seed nuts are to be selected from the center of the bunch, as
development of nuts at top and bottom extremities may not be uniform leading to
poor germination and poor quality of seedlings.
Coconut Nursery
4. Preservation of Seed Nut: Harvested seed nuts are stored in shade to prevent drying
of nut water. The seed nuts are generally stored till their husks become completely
dry. Seed nuts of the tall variety can be stored for two months whereas the seed nuts
of dwarfs should be sown within 15 days of harvest.
5. Nursery Site: The nursery site should preferably be in a level and well-drained area
and should have loose or light textured soil. It should have a good source of water for
irrigation. The nursery site should have proper shade. It should be accessible for
transportation of the produce. It should be far from potential sources of coconut insect
pests and diseases.
<strong>Resource</strong> <strong>Book</strong> on Horticulture Nursery Management : 147