Effect of major nutrients on the incidence of root (wilt) disease in coconut

Abstract

Studies on the effect of application of N,P,K, Ca and Mg, from die time of planting in the main field at Kayangnlam, on the incidence and severity of root (wilt) disease in West Coast Tall palms indicated that, young palms are more susceptible to the disease at the onset of bearing. When young palms under good management contracted the disease before flowering, the onset of bearing was delayed by about 12 months. The frond production rate and the number of functioning leaves on the crown are considerably reduced in diseased palms. Among the nutrients, Mg significantly increased the expression of both these characters thereby preventing the reduction in growth due to the disease. The disease caused about 60 per cent reduction in yield in the early bearing period. The mean yields of healthy and diseased palms at the 10th year of planting were 58.8 and 23.8 nuts/palm respectively. The disease caused about 12 per cent reduction in copra weight per nut while the reduction in oil content was not significant.

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Citation

In: Proceedings, PLACROSYM V, CPCRI, Kasaragod, 15-18 Dec. 1982. Edited by K. V. A. Bavappa and others 474-481

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