[BTA 2072]
Plantation Crop Management
Coconut nursery management & Coconut
pollination
Agriculture and Environmental Technology
Department of Biosystems Technology
Faculty of Technology
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
NAME: - A. DARSHANA NIPUN
INDEX NO: - BST/22/132
DATE OF SUBMISSION: - 2024/07/23
Date: - 2024/07/09
Practical No: - 01
Name of the Practical: - Coconut nursery management & Coconut pollination.
Objectives
1. To identify the parent palms selection concepts.
2. To obtain a basic knowledge of coconut nursery practices.
3. To familiarize with different coconut pollination techniques
Introduction
For more than 4,500 years, the coconut the fruit of the coconut palm, or Cocos nucifera has been a staple
of tropical climates. These adaptable fruits are special because they can be classified as seeds, nuts, and
fruits all at once. The structure of the coconut gives it its multiple natures: a fruit because it grows from
the ovary of a flower, a nut. After all, it has a hard shell and seed. After all, it can grow into a new plant.
Coconut is a highly productive and commercially important crop that supports the livelihoods of
millions of people worldwide. Sustainable and productive coconut plantations depend on efficient
nursery management and pollination methods. The present research investigates these two aspects of
coconut cultivation.
The establishment of robust and abundant coconut plantations begins with the management of coconut
nurseries. It entails a variety of tasks, including choosing the right location, preparing the seed pods, and
caring for and hardening off seedlings. Good nursery management techniques help produce high-quality
seedlings, which are necessary for the best possible growth and yield in the field.
Another important component influencing coconut yield is pollination. Although fruit set, yield, and
quality can all be enhanced by cross-pollination, coconut trees mostly self-pollinate. Production of
coconuts can be greatly impacted by comprehending the pollination process and putting suitable tactics
into practice.
Figure 01: Coconut nursery
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Figure 02: Coconut pollination
PART -I (Coconut nursery management)
Exercise 01:
List down the agronomic features you are going to consider when selecting the individual plus palms.
o To achieve the best possible yield, quality, and adaptability, a wide range of agronomic
factors are usually taken into account while choosing individual plus palms. These attributes
include a variety of qualities that work together to improve the palms' overall health and
sustainability.
o Growth Rate: The time until the first harvest is determined by how quickly the palm reaches
maturity. Faster-growing palms yield returns on investment sooner because they mature into
productive maturity sooner.
o Fruit quality: Is comprised of several factors, including the fruit's size, oil content, and
general quality. Producing high-value products and maintaining market competitiveness
require superior fruit quality.
o Pest Resistance: Pest resistance is just as important as disease resistance. The resilience of
palms against common pests increases the likelihood of the plants retaining their health and
productivity.
o Disease Resistance: It is essential to have resistance against common diseases like
Ganoderma and Fusarium wilt. Disease-resistant palms are less prone to contract illnesses
that could kill the plant or lower production and quality.
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o Nutrient Efficiency: The term "nutrient efficiency" describes how well a palm uses the
nutrients that are readily available from the soil. Using nutrients efficiently lowers the
requirement for fertilizers and promotes environmentally friendly farming methods.
o Drought Tolerance: Due to changing climatic conditions, the palm's capacity to endure times
of low water availability is becoming more and more crucial. Palms that can withstand
drought are still productive when they are stressed by water.
o Yield Potential: This describes the palm's total yield, which includes the number of fruit
bunches that are produced. For the plantation to maximize production and provide financial
returns, high yield potential is essential.
Exercise 02:
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of poly-bagged seedlings.
Advantages Disadvantages
Ease of Transport High Cost
Poly-bagged seedlings are significantly easier to The initial cost of poly-bags, soil, and labor can
transport compared to bare-root or field-grown be higher compared to traditional methods. This
seedlings. The compact and contained nature of increased expense can be a barrier for small scale
poly bags minimizes damage to the roots during or resource limited nurseries, potentially reducing
transportation. This ensures higher survival rates their ability to adopt this method.
when the seedlings are transplanted to their
permanent location.
Disease Control Labor Intensive
Poly bags provide a controlled environment that Preparing, filling, and managing poly-bags
can be closely monitored for disease. By isolating requires more labor and attention compared to
individual seedlings, the spread of diseases can be traditional planting methods. This increased labor
contained more effectively. Additionally, using demand can lead to higher operational costs and
sterilized soil in poly bags reduces the risk of soil- may require additional training for nursery
borne diseases, ensuring healthier plants. workers.
Nutrient Management Disposal Issues
Using poly bags allows for precise control over Poly bags must be disposed of properly after use,
the nutrient supply to each seedling. Growers can posing a waste management challenge. Improper
tailor the soil mixture and fertilizer application to disposal can lead to environmental pollution, and
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meet the specific needs of the young coconut finding sustainable disposal methods can be
palms, promoting optimal growth and costly and logistically challenging.
development. This targeted approach can result in
stronger and more vigorous seedlings.
Space Efficiency Soil Nutrition Depletion:
Poly bags enable the efficient use of nursery The limited soil in poly-bags can become
space, as they can be closely packed together. nutrient-depleted quickly, requiring frequent
This is particularly beneficial in nurseries with fertilization. This can increase the operational
limited space. The compact arrangement allows costs and labor required to maintain the seedlings,
for the cultivation of a larger number of seedlings as regular monitoring and nutrient
within a given area, maximizing the nursery’s supplementation are necessary.
productivity.
Protection from Pests: Root Circling:
Poly-bagged seedlings are less vulnerable to pests If left too long in the poly-bag, seedlings can
compared to those grown directly in the ground. develop circling roots, which can be detrimental
The enclosed environment of the poly bag acts as when transplanted. Circling roots can lead to poor
a barrier, preventing pests from easily accessing anchorage and reduced nutrient uptake, affecting
the young plants. This protection is crucial during the overall health and stability of the plant.
the early stages of growth when seedlings are
most susceptible to pest attacks.
Early Growth Monitoring Limited Root Expansion
The controlled environment of poly bags makes it The confined space of the poly-bag can restrict
easier to monitor the growth and development of root growth, potentially affecting long-term
seedlings. Any issues related to growth, such as development if not transplanted timely. If
nutrient deficiencies or pest infestations, can be seedlings remain in the bags for too long, their
quickly identified and addressed. This close roots may become restricted, leading to stunted
monitoring ensures that only healthy and robust growth or other developmental issues.
seedlings are transplanted to the field.
Better Root Development Environmental Impact
Poly bags encourage the development of a well- Poly-bags are often made of plastic, which can
structured root system. The confinement of the have a negative environmental impact if not
bag promotes the growth of fibrous roots rather disposed of properly. The accumulation of plastic
than long, spindly ones. This results in a more waste contributes to environmental pollution and
compact and robust root system, which enhances poses a challenge for sustainable agriculture
the seedling's ability to establish itself quickly practices.
after transplanting.
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PART -II (Coconut pollination)
Exercise 03:
I. What is a pollen manipulation box? What is the purpose of using such technology?
A specialized tool called a pollen manipulation box (PMB) is used in plant breeding and
pollination procedures to enable regulated hybridization and pollination. For the aim of artificial
pollination, the PMB offers a controlled environment for the collection, handling, and
manipulation of pollen. It is a vital technique in plant breeding operations because precise genetic
combinations and desirable features in the progeny require controlled pollination.
A Pollen Manipulation Box's components include,
• Collection Chamber: An area designated for the placement of male flowers or
inflorescences in order to gather pollen.
• Processing Area: A location where gathered pollen is processed, including drying and
sifting.
• Storage Compartment: A portion used to keep processed pollen viable by storing it in
a regulated setting.
• Tools for Sterilization: Hand sterilizing supplies and instruments to avoid cross-
contamination when handling pollen.
• Labeling and Recording Area: A place where gathered pollen samples can be labeled
with pertinent data for monitoring and record-keeping.
Why Use a Pollen Manipulation Box?
• Emasculation: The PMB makes emasculation easier by offering a regulated area where
male reproductive organs can be removed from the plant to stop self-pollination.
• Pollen Collection: It guarantees the viability and purity of the pollen grains by enabling
the accurate and efficient collection of pollen from specific male flowers.
• Pollination Control: By making sure that certain pollen from selected parent plants is
used for cross-breeding to produce desired genetic features in the offspring, breeders can
control the pollination process through the use of the PMB.
• Contamination Prevention: By assisting in preventing pollen contamination during
collection and processing, the PMB preserves the genetic integrity of the breeding
program.
• Storage and Viability: The PMB facilitates the viability of gathered pollen by storing it
under ideal conditions for upcoming pollination operations, guaranteeing effective
hybridization results.
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II. What are the problems associated with the pollination process? Suggest your own innovative
ideas to overcome the above problems.
Problems Associated with the Pollination Process:
• Unreliable Pollinators: Dependence on natural pollinators for instance bees and other
insects can be dangerous since they are affected by climatic conditions, habitat
destruction, and pesticide use, among others hence pollination may not be effective
always.
• Limited Pollination Period: Some types of plants have open pollination where they
have a small time within which pollination can take place hence has a problem of poor
pollination at this time.
• Inefficient Pollen Transfer: Failure to pollinate could also mean that fruits are not set
and seeds do not develop properly therefore reducing the yield and quality of the crop.
• Self-Pollination: Owen occurrences in flowers that autogamous pollination in certain
plant species fosters inbreeding depression, which ultimately hampers the improvements
of genetic variation and global plant strength in the long run.
• Pollinator Decline: Loss of pollinators either due to natural factors or by human
interference through factors such as habitat elimination, pesticide use and climate change
affects pollination success in the crops.
Innovative Ideas to Overcome Pollination Problems:
• Robot Assisted Pollination: Design and implement pollinating robots that are created
with Artificial Intelligence to perform pollination with the efficiency of natural
pollination.
• Drone Pollination: Develop drones with pollen-shoveling capabilities that can spread
pollen over a large area.
• Genetic Modification for Self-Pollination Control: Incorporate genetically modified
plants with bi-directional low heritability to create plants that will not intra-breed while
having the ideal qualities.
• Smart Pollination Monitoring Systems: The following are the strategies that should be
adopted. The use of to-based systems to monitor flowering stages or plants and the
environmental conditions to optimize the time of pollination and increase the chances of
pollination.
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• Community Pollinator Gardens: Plant other pollinator gardens in specific regions to
increase or stabilize the pollinator supply as it relates to crop pollination in regions thus
surrounding agricultural lands.
Conclusion
Proper management of coconut nurseries and efficient and effective pollination are essential to
increase the yield of coconut plantations. Agronomic traits for selecting plus palms include
growth vigor, fruit quality, disease and pest control, nutrient use efficiency, drought tolerance
and yield to ensure good quality seedlings and productivity. Poly-bagged seedlings are
advantageous in such a way; It is easy to transport, the roots grow well compared to seedlings in
pots, but on the other hand it also has disadvantages, it is expensive and causes environmental
problems. Pollen handling boxes are used to prevent pollen contamination, to collect specific
pollen and more importantly. Using robots and drones for pollination, genetic engineering, smart
monitoring and community pollination gardens can solve pollination problems. By following
these measures, coconut production increases efficiency, resilience and economic benefits.
References
• COCONUT NURSERY MANAGEMENT. (n.d.). Available at:
https://himalayanblossoms.com/PDF%20Files/Coconuts//coconurserymgt.pdf [Accessed 18
Jul. 2024].
• Ikisan.com. (2023). Available at: https://www.ikisan.com/ka-coconut-nursery-
managemen.html [Accessed 18 Jul. 2024].
• Goodhands (2022). Let’s Nurse some coconut seeds. [online] goodhands. Available at:
https://goodhands.lk/lets-nurse-some-coconut-seeds/?fbclid=IwAR1XYSW2mLus-
3_K7xesftbHr_Lo5BNUv4BaPZzjGbBFqXh5zgkVxe9W-eI [Accessed 18 Jul. 2024].
• Scribd. (n.d.). Coconut Nursery Management: (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) |
Download Free PDF | Sowing | Coconut. [online] Available at:
https://www.scribd.com/document/421170701/COCONUT-NURSERY-MANUAL-pdf
[Accessed 18 Jul. 2024].
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