Nair, M.K.Nampoothiri, K.U.K.2014-05-282014-05-282007-02-08In : Advances in Coconut Research and Development 1993 (Eds.)MK Nair, HH Khan; P Gopalasundaram ; EVV Bhaskara Rao, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. New Delhi, 759 p(International symposium on Coconut Research and Development (ISOCRAD*II), 26-29 November 1991, CPCRI, Kasaragod) p.61-69http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1939The Indian coconut population comprises enormous variability, accrued over the years of its cultivation in the country. Improvement in yield potential so far achieved in coconut has been through conventional breeding methods like selection and hybridisation. Mother palm selection based on the number of nuts and morphological characters genetically correlated with yield were found to improve the efficiency of selection. The concept of prepotency though proposed by Harland in the fifties did not receive attention from coconut breeders. Exploitation of hybrid vigour involving crosses between tall and dwarf has resulted so far in releasing nine hybrids with not only high yield but also precocity in bearing. Exploitation of prepotency, crosses between tall and dwarf possessing wider genetic diversity, utilising prepotent tails and homogeneous dwarfs in breeding for disease and drought tolerance, quality improvement with respect to oil content and evolving plant types suitable for coconut-based farming systems are the future strategies suggested.enbreedinghighyieldcoconutArticle