Effect of water stress on growth and yield of Tenera oil palm.

Abstract

Abstract In a field investigation conducted over six years, the Tenera oil palms subjected to intermittent water stress showed 88.46%reduction in fresh fruit bunches yield as compared to yield under irrigated condition. Production of leaves due to water stress wasreduced by 30% during early growth phase and by 12.5% in later growth phase. Stem growth showed greater sensitivity (49.41%reduction) than foliage production. Production of male inflorescences was least affected but female inflorescences were reducedby 86% under intermittent water stress over six years. This resulted in more than 91% reduction in number of FFB and ultimatelycaused 88.46% reduction in FFB yield. Key words: Water stress, Tenera oil palm, foliage, female inflorescences, fresh fruit bunches (FFB). Introduction Water stress is regarded as the major limiting factor for yield inseveral crops. Unavailability of water reduces the productivityby hampering crop establishment, alterations of physiologicaland biological mechanisms, and predisposition of crops to insectsand diseases that ultimately hampers the quantity and quality ofeconomically important products (Larsen, 1981). Turner (1976)has reported the effects of drought on oil palm yield in SouthEast Asia and the South Pacific region. The Konkan region ofMaharashtra (India) is a 720 km long coastal belt having a widthof about 45 km. It is a hilly area receiving the rainfall between2000 to 4000 mm during June to September. In remaining eightmonths of a year there is practically no rainfall. Soil in Sindhudurgand Ratnagiri districts are lateritic, sandy loam and acidic. Theyhave poor water holding capacity (FC=27.15, PW