EFFECTS OF APPLICATION OF COCONUT HUSK AND COIR DUST ON THE YIELD OF COCONUT

Abstract

In recent years much attention has been focussed on the importance of moisture conservationpractices in coconut lands, particularly in drier parts of the Coconut triangle. Experiments wereconducted in mature coconut plantations, to study the effect of various methods of application ofcoconut husk and coir dust, in lateritic and sandly soils, on the yield of palms.The results revealed that the use of both husks and coir dust was beneficial to coconutproduction. This was partly attributed to their ability ot retain moisture in the soil and regenerationof more roots per unit area. In terms of copra yield per palm coir dust appeared to be more effectivethan husk in lateritic soil. Of the different placement methods, husk in pits caused significantimprovent in nut and copra yield per palm, while coir dust placed in trenches had the least effect.Furthermore, placing husk or coir dust in pits between two palms appeared to be more effectiveand economical than in circular trenches round each palm. Based on these results, use of coir dustin pits is recommended as an effective alternative to husk pits, for moisture conservation and inreducing the adverse effects on the palm during the dry period.