Floral Attributes And Toddy Yield Of Selected Dwarf Coconut Varieties As Affected By Tapping Season

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the floral attributes and toddy yield of selected dwarf varieties locally available in Capiz State University Burias Campus, Burias, Mambusao, Capiz, Philippines. The study was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design for a factorial experiment. Two factors were considered: Factor A- Varieties and Factor B – Season of Tapping. A total of four coconut varieties were used in the study. Varieties used were V1 – Aromatic (ARO), V2 – Equatorial Green Dwarf (EGD), V3 – San Isidro Green Dwarf (SGD), and V4 – Talisay (TAL). Season of Tapping included S1- Dry Season and S2 – Wet Season. Each treatment was replicated three times with six trees per treatment. The different varieties differ in terms of the length of the tappable portion of the spadix, length of the discarded tip of the spadix, tapping duration, and volume of toddy produced. The following results revealed that season significantly influences the length of the spadix, age of spadix at tapping, number of days from tagging to bending, number of days from bending to cutting, tapping duration, and volume of toddy produced. Among the coconut varieties, Aromatic gave the greatest volume of toddy when tapped during the wet season. Generally, more toddy is produced during the wet season than in the dry season. Season and variety interact in influencing the age of spadix at tapping, tapping duration, and volume of toddy produced.