Potential of soil resources of Coconut Research Station, Aliyarnagar, Tamil Nadu, India for agro-technology generation

Potential of soil resources of Coconut Research Station, Aliyarnagar of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and one of the Centers of ICAR-AICRP (Palms), was assessed by soil profile examination and spatial variability mapping. Three soil profiles were examined, one each in A, B and C blocks of the farm, soils were studied horizon wise samples were collected, and fertility parameters were analyzed. Spatial variability of primary nutrients was mapped employing GIS techniques. Soil profile examination revealed the presence of canker nodules in the lower horizons and the depth of the soil was not a constraint for the cultivation of perennial crops. The texture of the soil varied from loamy sand to sandy clay loam. pH was alkaline and electrical conductivity was less than 2 dSm-1. The content of KMnO4-N was low, and Olsen P, NNNH4OAc-K and organic carbon were medium. Land capability class was IIIew and was highly suitable (S1) for coconut, moderately suitable (S2) for cocoa and marginally suitable (S3) for pepper. The soil taxonomic class is fine-loamy mixed, isohyperthermic Fluventic/Typic Haplustepts. Rock outcrops were noticed over 5 per cent of the area. Top soil erosion and seepage problems resulting in temporary water logging are the major fertility constraints associated with this farm. Scrupulous application of organic manures, split application of fertilizers, providing trenches in areas of water logging, etc., are the strategies to overcome the constraints, which are existing in the farm

Prospects of coconut cultivation in Tamil Nadu – A SWOT Analysis

Coconut is an important horticultural crop of the state of Tamil Nadu spreading across an area of 4.44 lakh hectares. Coconut is a victim of the catastrophes of climate change events like high temperature, excessive or deficit rainfall and increased atmospheric CO2 concentration. Coconut plantations in the state are hit by several pests and diseases, some of which are lethal, fatal and are debilitating in nature. An analysis of Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) for the prospects of coconut cultivation in the state revealed that edaphic and climatic factors, less labour requirement compared to other field crops of the state and access to technologies remain the great strength, while tropical cyclones hitting coastal districts of the state, failure of monsoon, wide fluctuations in copra price, lack of producer-centric market intelligence are the striking weakness for coconut cultivation. Improved varieties and hybrids with desired traits, establishment of processing industries, international cargo terminals to tap export market and crop insurance scheme in the event of climatic aberrations, remain the major opportunities while declining soil fertility, debilitating pests and dreadful diseases and poor scientific management owing to the fragmented land holdings are the major threats of coconut cultivation in the state of Tamil Nadu

Soil fertility, system productivity and economic viability of coconut based high density multi species cropping system in Tamil Nadu, India

Monocropping of coconut is no longer viable in the context of price aberrations of copra, debilitating pests and dreadful diseases and intercropping turned out to be an inevitable venture. A research experiment was pursued at the AICRP (Palms) centre, Coconut Research Station, Aliyarnagar, Tamil Nadu, India during 2013-18 to assess the impact of coconut based High Density Multi Species Cropping System (HDMSCS) with cocoa (CCRP accessions), banana (var. Nendran) and pineapple (var. Kew), on soil fertility, system productivity and economic viability. The experiment was conducted in a sandy clay loam soil taxonomically classified as Typic Haplustepts. Four treatments viz., T1: 75 per cent recommended dose of nutrients (RDN) as chemical fertilizers 25 per cent RDN through organic recycling with vermicompost, vermiwash application, biofertilizer application and green manuring with gliricidia loppings; T2: 50 per cent RDN as chemical fertilizers with 50 per cent RDN through organic sources, T3: 100 per cent RDN through organic sources and T4: sole chemical fertilization were imposed in blocks comprising of 25 coconut palms per block. Results revealed that integration of 75 per cent recommended dose of nutrients (RDN) through chemical fertilizers and 25 per cent through organic sources (T1) resulted in increased nut yield of coconut, dry bean yield of cocoa and fruit yield of banana and pineapple. Nut yield was conspicuously lower in monocropping compared to HDMSCS. Soil organic carbon (SOC), earthworm count and microbial population were higher in the treatment, which received 100 per cent RDN through organic sources (T3). Net Returns, B: C ratio and employment generation potential were higher in HDMSCS than coconut monoculture. Partitioning of the recommended dose of nutrients through 75 per cent chemical fertilizers and 25 per cent organic manures for coconut based high density multi species cropping integrated with cocoa, banana and pineapple paved the way for enhanced soil fertility, system productivity, profitability and sustainability of coconut system in Western Zone of Tamil Nadu, India