Coconut

Spacing

Most of the existing coconut plantations are planted in the square system at a spacing of 7.5 m x 7.5 m.  Adoption of hedge (rectangular) system of planting coconut with wider row spacing and rows oriented in east-west direction would increase light availability to intercrops (e.g. 9.0 m x 6.5 m = 170 palms/ha). This would facilitate growing annuals and perennials right from the time of planting coconuts.  Triangular system of planting (equilateral triangle) accommodates 30 palms more than square system of planting, however it interferes with the cultural operations and growing of intercrops

  Preparation of pits

The size of the pit for planting of seedlings is 1 m x 1m x 1m in normal soils. However, in soils with rocky or hard substrate: large pits (1.2 to 1.5 m³) are preferred. After opening the pit,it has to be filled with top soil to a height of 60cm. If FYM or any compost is available that also can be mixed with top soil and  seedling can be planted inside the pit. In water logged areas mounds are made and seedlings are planted in the centre of the mound.

  Time of planting

Planting is generally done during the beginning of monsoon season. This varies with states. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh it is done in October-November for Kerala it is during June-September. In water logged areas planting is taken up towards the end of the monsoon.

  Replanting or under planting

Replanting or under planting becomes necessary when the yield is very low due to old age, long-term neglect and continuous exposure to adverse conditions. Generally under planting is practiced where old palms are removed in stages over a period of three to four years.

• Peg mark the area to be under planted.

• Remove very poor yielder and those very close to the planting pits.

• Plant the seedlings in the usual way

• The other trees are removed @ one-third each year during 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th year after planting.

• If the existing garden is irregularly spaced, remove old palms within 1 m radial distance in first year, 2 m distance in second year, 3 m distance in third year and the rest in fourth year.

• Generally flowering is delayed a little in under planted palms.

  Care of young plantations

• Mulching the base with coconut husks, dry leaves, etc.

• Husk burial in planting pits

• Irrigation during dry months @ 45 litres once in 4 days

• Pitcher irrigation may be adopted in water scarcity areas

• Shading during summer

• Regular weed control.

  Selection of site and layout

The crop thrives well in humid areas protected well against hot sun and heavy wind.  Since the areca palm does not withstand either water logging or drought, the site selected should have proper drainage and adequate source of water for irrigation. Arecanut palm cannot withstand extreme temperature and exposure to direct sun.  So the site selected should have protection from southern and western sides. The soil depth and the depth of water table are other two parameters to be considered while selecting the site. The soil should be deep (preferably not less than two meters) and water table should be sufficiently low for better root development.  Aligning the rows in north-south direction with a deviation of 35º towards south-west lowers the incidence of sun-scorch.

  Spacing

This depends on the rooting pattern of the crop along with the fertility and depth of the soil.  The studies conducted at different places with different spacing have revealed that a spacing of 2.7 m X 2.7 m is optimum for arecanut.  This was justified by the root distribution studies also.

  Depth of planting

In well-drained soils and in the fields where proper drainage can be provided, deep planting is preferred. Deeper planting provides a firm anchorage and larger volume of space for root development.  In areas where water table is high, shallow planting is preferred.  Thus in well-drained soils, planting at a depth of 90 cm is recommended and in heavy soils planting at a depth of 60 cm is recommended.

  Season of planting

In areas where South-West monsoon is severe, planting in the month of September-October is recommended.  In other areas planting can also be done in the months of May-June.

  Drainage

For better growth and development of the plants proper drainage is essential.  The number of drainage channels depend upon the soil type.  In light soils the number of channels may be less and in heavy soils the channels should be dug in each row for proper draining of the excess water.  The channels should be at least 15 – 30 cm deeper than the depth at which the seedlings are planted.

  Shading

The palms are highly susceptible for sun scorching.  The seedlings should be given protection against the direct exposure to sun.  This may be done either covering the plants with areca or coconut leaves or by raising crops like banana in between two rows of arecanut.  Sun scorching is mostly seen during October – January.  During this period even the stems of young palms have to be protected.  For this a quick growing shade plant can be planted on Southern and Western sides of the garden.

  Cocoa

  Planting time

It can be planted either in the beginning of South-West monsoon (May-June) or end of monsoon (September).

  Spacing and planting

Cocoa is planted either under forest trees or other crops.  It can be established under forests by thinning the forest to desirable shade levels. Cocoa seedlings are planted in pits of 50 cm³ filled with compost. 

  Shade

Cocoa was evolved as an under-storey crop in the Amazonian forests. Thus commercial cultivation of cocoa can be taken up in plantations where 50 per cent of light is ideally available.  In India, coconut and arecanut gardens are suited best for cultivating Cocoa.  Under arecanut 30-50% of sunlight penetrates through their canopy which can be intercepted by cocoa 

• Under forests spacing of 2.5 x 2.5 m to 3.0 x 3.0 m are found suitable. 

• In areca garden, cocoa is planted in 2.7 x 5.4 m spacing, where main crop is planted at 2.7 x 2.7 m

• When grown as intercrop with coconut, two systems are usually followed viz., single hedge of 2.7 m apart or double hedge of 2.5 m apart