Influence of drip irrigation on nut characters and yield of coconut (Cocos nucifera) in laterite soil

A field experiment was conducted with ‘Chowghat Orange Dwarf’ (‘COD’) x ‘West Coast Tall’ (WCT) and ‘West Coast Tall’ coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) cultivars under laterite soil condition, to study the influence of drip irrigation on nut yield and nut characters during 1993–1999 at Kasaragod, Kerala. The treatments consisted of 3 levels of drip irrigation [33, 66 and 100% of open pan evaporation (E_o) daily] along with basin irrigation (100% of E_o) and rainfed control. Drip irrigation at 66% of E_o (27 litres water/palm/day during December-January and 32 litres of water/palm per day during February-May) resulted in water saving and the nut yield was on a per with 100% throught drip and 100% of E_o through basin irrigation. Rainfed control and 33% of E_o through drip treatments recorded significantly lower nut yield in both the cultivars. The nut characters like nut weight, copra thickness, and copra content were superior under irrigated treatments compared to rainfed control.