Articles
Dry matter requirement for growth and respiration of coconut
Authors:
C. S. Ranasinghe ,
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, LK
About C. S.
Plant Physiology Division
R. D. N. Premasiri
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, LK
About R. D. N.
Plant Physiology Division
Abstract
The present study determined the dry matter (DM) requirement for potential growth (PGR), growth respiration (Rg) and maintenance respiration (Rm) of fruits, leaves, stem and root system of adult coconut palms (25-26 years) of Tall x Tall cultivar under resource-unlimiting conditions. The total DM requirement of a palm was about 21 kg/palm/month and 63% of that total was required for growth and respiration of vegetative organs (leaves, stem and roots) whilst the rest (37%) was for fruits. Similarly, the DM required for respiration (62%) was nearly two third of the total requirement of a palm and the balance 38% was required for growth of organs. The total dry matter requirement (TDMR) of individual fruits varied with developing stage and TDMR of fruits / palm varied between months and years depending on the fruit load of different development stages. Irrespective of the year, TDMR of fruits was highest during November to February (about 10-11 kg/palm/month) and lowest in June-July (about 5-6 kg/palm/month). However, the DM requirement of vegetative organs (a total of approximately 13 kg/palm/month) did not vary between months.
Published on
19 Oct 2016.
Peer Reviewed
Downloads