Authors:

Abstract

The present study determined the dry matter (DM) requirement for potential growth (PGR), growth respiration (R_g) and maintenance respiration (R_m) 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.

Keywords: Fruit respiration, Fruit growth, Cocos nucifera, Assimilate requirement

How to Cite: Ranasinghe, C.S. and Premasiri, R.D.N., 2016. Dry matter requirement for growth and respiration of coconut. COCOS, 21, pp.21–31. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cocos.v21i0.5806