COCONUT PROPAGATION AND SEED SELECTION

Propagation:

Coconut is propagated only from seed; No practical method of vegetative propagation has been successful. The seeds are first planted in the nursery and later transplanted into the field.

Selection of mother trees for seed nuts:

The seed should come from coconut trees with the following qualities

i)   High yielding trees: Tree(s) which produces large number of nuts per season and per year

ii)  Age of mother tree: The mother tree should not be less than 15 years when planted [tall palms], less than this the trees are taken to be young

iii) Trunk size and length of internodes: The trunk of the tree should be thick with closely spaced nodes i.e strong trees

iv) Big mature nut ratio: The tree(s) be one which  most of nuts produced develop to maturity i.e. the ratio of mature nuts to immature should be big.

vi)  Size of inflorescence: Must have big inflorescences which eventually produce good nuts.

Qualities for good nuts to be used as seed nuts

i) Should not be dry inside (have liquid inside) for the proper germination. The nuts must be shaken to ensure this liquid before are selected as seed

ii) They should be selected from high yielding mother tree(s)

iii) They should be of medium size. They have high germination rate as compared to those which are too big or small

iv) Should be free from damage by pests and diseases; not have scars, cracks, and bruises to avoid rotting.

v) They should be mature whole fruits

vi) Can be fresh (immediately harvested) or have been stored in a cool dry ventilated place up to 4 months.