Coconut tree - Cocos nucifera

Description and Uses

Cocos nucifera (Coconut tree) is a tropical tree from Malaysia & Indonesia. It is mainly grown for its nut crops (long shelflife), but also Other uses include; apiculture, fodder, fuel, mulch, nut, oil, ornamental and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by ground gathering. It starts flowering after 4 - 6 years. The first yield will be 10 nuts/year but in its top season there will be a yield of 75 nuts/year. The seed/nut is edible. Medical uses include; Array The root contains - n/a - (_ - _). There is Coconut oil extracted by expeller pressing from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 32% - 34% oil. The tree`s wood is called Coconut lumber and has a density of 500 - 550 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is medium, its energetic value is 3900 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is slow; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 40 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Cocos nucifera has a lifespan of 80 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 30 meters tall. It is medium growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Cocos nucifera has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations Archaespora trapei,Glomus aggregatum,Glomus mosseae (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The tree`s flower-morphology is monoecious and is pollinated by bees. Cocos nucifera is evergreen and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Cocos nucifera thrives in an altitude of 520 to 900 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 2°C and optimally between 20 - 28°C. The optimal rainfall is 1750 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 1000 - 1500 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind tolerant and to fire a bit tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

["Aceria guerreronis","Orycetes rhinoceras","Oryctes monoceros","Rhadinaphelenchus cocophilus", "Rhynchophorus cruentatus&quo and But rot,Lethal yellowing (LY),Red ring disease diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are recalcitrant and can be stored for 5 months. There are approximative 1.5 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds in brakish water., (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing., (3) Seeds germinate above ground (epigeous)

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