Boron deficiency in coconut (Cocos nucifera L)
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Date
2007-02-08
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Abstract
Boron is an essential micronutrient for plants. It helps in division and multiplication of meristematic tissues. Boron deficient palms exhibit different disorder symptoms. In coconut, the deficiency of boron causes various malformations, thereby decreasing the productivity substantially. In seedlings the deficiency symptoms are manifested by unopened and crinkled leaves, rachis with necrotic tips, bare and necrotic leaf stalk with short stubby leaves, production of hardy leaflets with asymmetrical arrangements, rachis with longitudinal/transverse cracking etc. In adult palms the deficiency resulted in the production of branched spikes, premature death of inflorescence, production of inflorescence with lesser female flowers, shedding of female flowers, cracking of nuts externally/internally with meat protruding towards the mesocarp and barren nuts with partial/ unevenly developed kernel having poor quality copra. The malformations may be exhibited either singly or by various combinations based on the intensity of the deficiency. Studies conducted at C.P.C.R.I (RS), Kayangulam showed that these symptoms of boron deficiency could be cured by application of 300g and 500g borax to the seedlings and adult palms respectively along with the recommended dose of fertilizers. This paper discusses the various symptoms of boron deficiency and its management.
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Keywords
Boron, coconut, deficiency, disease
Citation
Plantation Crops Research and Development in the New Millennium,(Proceedings of PLACROSYM XIV) CPCRI, Kasaragod 2002 p-320-324