Recovery of Coconut Trees from Scale Insect Infestation with Salt and Trichoderma Microbial Inoculant (TMI)

Abstract

This study showed the role of Trichoderma Microbial Inoculant (TMI) and salt in the fast recovery of mature coconut trees damaged by coconut scale insect, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne, and in the growth of coconut seedlings. Four treatments with three replicates were laid out in a randomized complete block design. Treatments made were: T0 with 0 fertilizer, 0 TMI; T1 with full dose N, P, K fertilizers, NaCl, 0 TMI; T2 with ½ dose fertilizers + NaCl, + TMI; and T3 with NaCl + TMI. Fertilizers and salt were split delivered in T1. Ten 1-m tall coconut seedlings (Laguna Tall Variety) per replicate treatment were interspersed with the mature trees in each block. About 25 g TMI per tree and 15 g TMI per seedling were applied together with fertilizers. Numbers of green, yellow, and brown leaves, inflorescences, and fruits produced per mature tree were monitored for 27 months. New and mature green leaves were counted as measure of coconut seedling growth. Mature trees in T3 had significantly higher number of green leaves and fruits compared to other treatments. T3 seedlings had significantly higher number of mature green leaves than those of other treatments. Both mature trees and seedlings in T3 exhibited the fastest growth. These results highlighted the importance of salt and TMI for productivity of coconut trees and seedlings.