Hybrid Coconut Research Articles

A study on a multi-stage hybrid gasifier-engine system

This paper presents the results of a study on a multi-stage hybrid biomass–charcoal gasification to produce low tar content gas for engine application using coconut shell as a fuel. The performance of a gasifier-engine system consisting of the hybrid biomass–charcoal gasifier, a gas cleaning/cooling system and a diesel engine is also discussed. The lowest tar content found in hybrid coconut shell-charcoal gasification was 28 mg N m −3 . Using a spray tower, producer gas could be cooled down to 40°C; almost tar-free gas was obtained after cooling the producer gas from the hybrid gasifier system. A three-cylinder Perkins diesel engine was tested at a constant speed of 1500 rpm on diesel alone and dual fuel modes of operation. A maximum of 81% of the total heat energy input was replaced by the producer gas at an electricity generation of 11.44 kWe .

AVALIAÇÃO DE CARACTERES VEGETATIVOS DE HÍBRIDOS DE COQUEIRO (COCOS NUCIFERA L.) NA REGIÃO NÃO PANTANOSA DO MUNICÍPIO DE POCONÉ, MT

O presente estudo foi realizado entre março de 1999 e março de 2000, na região de Cangas, município de Poconé, MT, com a finalidade de estudar o desenvolvimento inicial de híbridos intervarietais de coqueiros, avaliados para as características: circunferência do coleto (CC), número de folhas vivas (NFV), número de folhas emitidas (NFE), número de folíolos da folha 3 (NFoF3), comprimento de folíolos da folha3 (CFoF3), comprimento da folha 3 (CF3) e comprimento do pecíolo da folha 3 (CPF3). Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e cinco tratamentos, tendo em cada parcela 16 plantas úteis. Os resultados das análises estatísticas demonstraram haver diferença significativa para todas as características. O híbrido AVG x GBrPF foi o que melhor expressou o "vigor híbrido" com maiores CC, NFoF3, CFoF3 e CF3. Por outro lado, o AVeJ x GBrRN apresentou os menores valores para estas características, embora tenha expressado o melhor resultado para NFE e NFV nas avaliações finais.

Integrated Soil Fertility Management on Local Coconut Hybrid in a Farmer- Managed Coconut-Based Cropping System

An integrated soil fertility management or ISFM on-farm trial was conducted at Barangay Tawan-tawan, Baguio District, Davao City in 1993 to 1999 to know the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the vegetative growth, nutrient status and yield performance of intercropped Catigan dwarf x Laguna tall (CATD x LAGT) coconut hybrid better known as PCA 15–1 or CATLAG.
 
 Vegetative growth of CATD x LAGT palms revealed that ammonium sulfate + NaCl and goat manure + NaCl produced significantly bigger girth size on the first year and more number of leaves and living fronds on the second and fourth year, respectively. These treatments also enhanced early flowering (>50% @ 4.5 years) and yield (51-53 nuts/tree/yr @) 5 years from field planting) in hybrid palms. The organic fertilizers, i.e. goat manure and coconut husk, become more effective in their effect on the vegetative and reproductive characters of palms when combined with a Cl source (NaCl). The application of Cl nutrient contributed to the better performance of palms during the drought condition. The application of goat manure resulted in improved levels of soil nutrients as K, Ca, Mg and P, increased percent base saturation and lower soil acidity.
 
 The use of local hybrid, PCA 15-1 and ISFM-based low cost production inputs such as ammonium sulfate, goat manure/coco waste (husk) and common table salt as well as intercropping suitable crops under young coconuts is a profitable package of technologies capable of improving and sustaining coconut farm productivity in the Philippines.

Boron Deficiency of Coconut (Cocos nucifera Lin.): A Field Note

The soil and external supply of micronutrient boron (B) clearly affect the coconut crop’s growth and development; and, thus, the yield and quality of produce, particularly during the dry season (< 75 mm rainfall/month).
 
 A clear deficiency of B in young palms of several farms ( 11 out of 37) was observed in a project site of a nationwide multi-location piloting (MULTILOC ACTPRO) of coconut varieties and hybrids located in an inland area of Linabu, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. The deficiency in young coconut is characterized by the presence of deformed leaf fronds or “little leaf”, followed by non-splitting or delayed opening of leaflets that usually appear in zigzag-like pattern in advanced or severe deficiency stage. The apical shoot blackens, exhibiting growth failure and death of tissues and plant per se.
 
 Photographs of the boron deficiencies in sample farms, and recommended correcting measures are presented.

TODDY PRODUCTION MODELS OF PB 121 AND KHINA 1 COCONUT HYBRIDS

Tapping PB‑121 for coconut toddy can possibly reduce the loss ofproduction due to Phytophora infection and increasesfarmers income. Experiment was conducted in order to know the potential production of toddy of PB‑121 hybrid compared to KHINA‑1. The experiment was carried out at Pandu Experimental Garden of Research Institute for Coconut and Palmae Manado, North Sulawesi. Fourteen spathes of sixty palms or each hybrid was tappedfrom May 1991 to May 1992. Observations were made on toddy volume and its sucrose content measured daily in the morning (07:00‑09:00) and afternoon (14:00‑18:00). Multiple regression models were used to fit the production and sucrose content pattern of toddy. The result showed that coconut toddy production of PB‑121 was higher than KHINA‑1 from each spathe. Ae average toddy production of PB‑121 was 52.99 litre per spathe and KHINA‑1 was 46 65 litre per spathe. The sucrose contents of KHINA‑1 and PB‑121 were not significantly different. Model of the toddy production of KHINA‑l and PB‑121 differed but there was no difference between the model ofsucrose content of those two hybrid coconut varieties.

Effects of chlorine deficiency in the field on leaf gas exchanges in the PB121 coconut hybrid

Une etude des echanges gazeux foliaires en saison seche et en saison humide, a confirme l'importance du role de l'ion chlorure chez le cocotier. En saison seche, par rapport a un temoin, la carence en chlorure entraine des conductances stomatiques plus faibles qui conduisent a la diminution des echanges gazeux. Il en resulte une photosynthese et une transpiration moins intenses, expliquant la moins bonne tolerance a la secheresse du cocotier carence. En saison seche, meme peu intense, un cocotier non carence, maintient et meme augmente sa conductance. Ceci permet d'accroitre sa transpiration, de repondre a l'augmentation de la demande evaporative et de maintenir une photosynthese elevee. Au contraire, les plants carences diminuent leur conductance, provoquant une baisse de transpiration et photosynthese. Des observations en saison des pluies n'ont pas mis en evidence un effet d'une carence en chlorure sur la photosynthese intrinseque du cocotier. L'ion chlorure semble intervenir essentiellement en saison seche, et sur la regulation stomatique (Resume d'auteur)

PENGARUH TIPE HIBRID, BOBOT BENIH, DAN PENUTUPAN MULSA TERHADAP KECEPATAN DAN PERSENTASE DAYA BERKECAMBAH TIGA TIPE KELAPA HIBRID

Three types of coconut hybrid, namely Salak Dwarf (SKD) x Tenga Tall (TAT), Salak Dwarf x Sawarna Tall (SAT), and Salak Dwarf x Markamvalley Tall (MVT) were studied in Kotabumi, North Lampung, from July 1994 to March 1995 on Red Yellow Podzolid soil. This trial was conducted to determine the percentage of germination and speed of germination based on hybrid type, seed weight, and mulching. Split-split plot design consisted of three factors with three replications was used for this trial. The first factor as main plot was three levels of hybrid SKD x TAT, SKD x SAT, and SKD x MVT. The second factor as sub plot was three levels of seed weight less 500 g, 501-800 g, and more than 801 g. The third factor as sub-subplot consisting of four levels of mulching 0, 30, 60, and 100 percent. The results showed that SKD x SAT germinated faster than SKD x MVT and SKD x TAT. The germination percentage of SKD x MVT was higher compared to SKD x TAT, but similar to SKD x MVT The germination speed was not affected by seed weight, where the germinating percentage was nuts less than 501 g germinated better than those more than 501 g. Treatment of mulching not significant by influence growth rate of germination but significantly influence the percentage of seednut germination thirty percent of mulching gave the best percentage of seed nut germination.

COCONUT YIELD IMPROVEMENT IN FARMERS' FIELDS THROUGH RESEARCH BASED FERTILIZATION MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

For the past 20 years, the development of leaf analysis or foliar diagnosis ofcoconut, supported and confirmed by a network offertilizer experiments (on­station and on‑farm trials) demonstrated the significance of improving coconut yields in terms Of nuts and copra through balance nutrition or fertilization ofpalms.
 
 In the Philippines, emphasis on the correction of the widespread deficiencies in N, Cl, S and K had been achieved even in small‑scale farms with 142% average increase in nut yield and 179% increase in copra terms after 3‑4 years of application at moderate rates offertilizers.
 
 Research findings are discussed in relation to the coconut rehabilitation of mature stands and the utilization of coconut hybrids in the ‑ sustainable coconut development.

EFFECT OF NPK FERTILIZATION ON COCONUT HYBRID

A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Aliyamnagar from 1988 to 1996 to study the effect of NPK fertilization on coconut hybrid Chandra Sankhara. The results revealed that application of NPK @ 500:250:1000 g/palm/year recorded more nut yield and growth and yield characters

CROP FERTILIZER USE EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS (CFE): A Tool in identifying appropriate planting materials of coconut in different agro climatic conditions

Nine (9) sites with different growing conditions used in the Regional Testing of Promising Coconut Hybrids and Cultivars in the Philippines or MULTILOC Project (1985‑1996) was subjected to the Crop Fertilizer Use Efficiency (CFE) Analysis. Two CFE indices were used CFEn = nut yield/kg fertilizer applied (per tree) and CFE X = kg copra yield kg fertilizers applied (per tree).
 
 To a great extent, crop fertilizer use efficiency (CFE) ofsuperior hybrids grown in similar environments and appied with same moderate rates offertilizers have higher efficiency of converting the appliedfertilizers to economic yield, nuts or copra (measured in terms of CFEn and CFEc) compared to tall varielies tested in all MULTILOC sites (dry, intermediate and wet growing zone) at n ine years ftom field‑planting (FP). The CFEs, CFEn (nut‑based) at nine sites clearly differed in ternu of the first (best) five entries with highest CFE values. Explanation for this observation deserves further study, looking into the relationship of hybrid vigour (heterosis), crop morphology, physiology and yield.

COMPARATIVE INVESTMENT ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDED COCONUT HYBRIDS/CULTIVARS FOR THE NATIONAL PLANTING/REPLANTING PRO¬GRAM IN THE PHILIPPINES

Comparative investment analysis was done on the eight coconut hybridsl cultivars under the Zamboanga condition using the Mul­tiple Budget (MULBUD) program. The, study aims to ovaluate and com­pare the economic profitability qf coconut hybrids/cultivars under two planting schemes and determine the best genetic materials that will provide the highest economic returns to coconut farmers. Analysis of the recommended varieties was also done using different product groups and coco‑based enterprises. The economic performance of each coconut hybrids1cultivars was measured using investment indicators like SNPV, BCR, and IRR.
 
 With copra and shell as products under the new planting scheme, the use of PCA recommended local hybrids and BAY is a more profitable investment compared with MAWA and the other tall populations. In general, the profit‑ability of coconut hybrids and cultivars was enhanced under the replanting scheme. Break even point was attained at year one due to the value of coconut timber obtained from the old stand.
 
 Results further indicated that the use of local hybrids and BAY is the best starting point in increasing farm income. However, higher returns were obtained when product utilization are diversified and coco‑based enter‑ prises are incorporated.

FLOWERING AND YIELD CHARACTERISTICS OF MACAPUNO-BEARING DWARF X TALL COCONUT HYBRIDS

Three macapuno-bearing dwarf x tall coconut hybrid trees were observed to exhibit some characteristics influenced by the dwarf female parents. Flowering started as early as 39 to 57 months after planting. Intraspadix overlapping of 43 to 100% was also recorded suggesting moderate to high degree of self pollination.
 
 Macapuno yield ranged from 0-50% per bunch. The nuts resemble the female parents in form but were generally heavier. They were all classified as type l macapuno.
 
 Binomial test showed goodness of fit to 3:1 ratio of normal to macapuno nuts.

STUDIES ON HOST PREFERENCE OF PARASA LEPIDA ON SOME CULTIVARS OF HYBRID COCONUT IN SWAMPY AREA

A two‑month f ield experiment to study host preference of the leaf‑eating cater­pillar, Parasa lepida cramer, on 5 cultivars of hybrid coconut: Green Khina‑1, Brown Khina‑1, Nias Yellow Dwarf (NYD) x West African Tall (WAT),. Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD) x WAT, and Camerun Red Dwarf (CRD x Rennel Tall (RLT), aged 2.5 years, was carried out in swampy area of South Sumatra province, in 1991.
 
 A number of 30 palms, taken at random, from each block of the above mentioned hybrids were studied. Hence, there were 1SO trees observed altogether. The population of larvae per leaf as well as their dwellings in the fronds were recorded to investigate age of leaf consumed.
 
 Results of the study showed that none of the hybrids were resistant to P. lepida larvae. Cultivar of NYD x WAT was attacked more followed by Green Khina‑1, NYD x WAT, CRD x RLT, and Brown Khina ‑ 1. Leaves of half matures of all hybrids were preferred compared to those of the others.

Comparative Investigation of MLOs Associated with Caribbean and African . Coconut Lethal Decline Diseases by DNA Hybridization and PCR Assays

Mycoplasmalike organisms (MLOs) associated with lethal decline diseases of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) in eastern and western Africa were detected by dot hybridizations using (P-32)dATP-labeled cloned DNA probes. Two probes, each consisting of a genomic DNA fragment of the palm lethal yellowing (LY) MLO from Florida, hybridized at moderate stringency to DNAs from four coconut cultivars with lethal disease (LD) in Tanzania and from a solitary West African Tall coconut palm with symptoms of Awka disease in Nigeria. Neither probe hybridized to DNA of the LD-affected hybrid coconut PB121 or to DNA of symptomless palms. Conserved, mollicute-specific oligonucleotide sequences used for polymerase chain reactions (PCR) primed the amplification of near full-length MLO 16S rRNA genes from all decline-affected palms. No restriction fragment length polymorphisms were observed when rDNA amplified from both LY- and LD-affected coconut palms were singly digested with the restriction endonucleases AluI, BamHI, DraI, EcoRI, HpaI, HpaII, RsaI, and ScaI. Polymorphisms were evident after digestion of MLO rDNA with TaqI. These data establish the existence of genetic relationships between MLOs associated with coconut lethal decline diseases in the western Caribbean region and in Africa and provide further evidence indicating that the LY and LD MLOs, although very similar, are not genetically identical pathogens.

Development of an Agroforestry Program for Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia

This report describes the development of a pilot agroforestry program for the island of Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), Indonesia. The primary aim of the program is to increase agricultural production on Lombok by introducing drought-tolerant, productive trees that can ameliorate drought-induced famine experienced by rural farmers in this region. The inclusion of an agroforestry subsystem with supportive and “back-up” capabilities will buttress the existing agricultural system in the event of future drought. The current focus is upon the introduction of hybrid coconut, date, fig, and macadamia nut trees. Major emphasis is placed upon the value of working within the Indonesian culture and agrarian social structure in NTB.

FLOWERING AND YIELD CHARACTERISTICS OF MACAPUNO BEARING DWARF X TALL COCONUT HYBRIDS

Three macapuno‑bearing dwarf x tall coconut hybrid trees were observed to exhibit some characteristics influenced by the dwarf female parents. Flowering started as early as 39 to 57 months after planting. Intraspadix overlapping of 43 to 100% was also recorded suggesting moderate to high degree of self pollination.
 
 Macapuno yield ranged from 0‑50% per bunch. The nuts resem­ble the female parents in form but were generally heavier. They were all classified as type l macapuno.
 
 Binomial test showed goodness of fit to 3:1 ratio of normal to macapuno nuts.

VHC 2 A NEW TXD HYBRID COCONUT FOR TAMIL NADU

A new coconut hybrid VHC 2 was synthesised by combining ECTX MDY. This hybrid possessed high yield potential than the local ECT in terms of nut and copra yields. VHC 2 is characterised by low values for bunch buckling and leaf drooping which are the disadvantages commonly met in T x D hybrids. VHC 2 is recommended for commercial cultivation in Tamil Nadu.

BUD ROT DISEASE ON PB 121 COCONUT AT BANGUN PURBA PTP VI, NORTH SUMATRA

Three‑year observations made upto 1987 on coconut hybrid PB121 (Malayan Yellow Dwarf x West Affican Tall) planted at the Bangun Purba PTP VI Estate, North Sumatra in 1977 revealed a 9.5 percent infestation by bud‑rot disease. Bud‑rot is disastrous since it kills the only growing point of the plant, and until today no remedy has been found out other than uprooting and destroying the diseased palms. Exast cause of but‑rot is not known, even­though the fungus Phytophthora palmivora is associated with the affected palms. This disease is noticed exclusively on mature palms, older than four years, and is found to spread blockwise.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN COCONUT

In the context of the fast reducing land‑to‑man ratio in the tropics, cropping systems which can integrate a variety of highly productive plant species and animals with human beings will have to be developed. Coconut having many favourable attributes is ideally suited for homestead farming under diverse situations. Its response to good management particularly fertilizer applica­tion and irrigation is indeed very good. Yield increases of the or­der of 84% due to manuring and 216% due to manuring and irrigation have been obtained in the native West Coast Tall. In coconut hybrids not only Wgher yields have been realised but better utilisation efficiency of native and applied nutrients obser­ved, making them highly suited for improving the economic viability of small holdings. The potential that coconut offers for mixed cropping with a variety of crops, and mixed farming is very high. High density cropping in coconut plantations is also feasible. The cost benefit of some of the coconut based cropping systems have been presented, and the low productivity of coconut observed in majority of the coconut growing countries discussed keeping in view the remedial. measures that can be thought of for the existing maladies.

THE EFFECTS OF STEM BLEEDING DISEASE ON THE FLOWERING AND FRUIT SETTING OF COCONUT HYBRID PB 121

Stem bleeding is one the common diseases of coconut in Indonesia. The severity of the disease varies considerably depend­ing on the cultivars, environmental. factors, and the occurence of mechanical. damage on the stem.
 
 Observation on the coconut hybrid PB 121 in the Bangun Purba estate PTP VI North Sumatra indicated that stem bleeding disease caused‑necrosis in the stem tissue but it did not kill the tree. Moreover, this disease had no negative effects in the flowering, fruiting and inflorescence formation of the coconut tree.