Abstract
The impact of dry spells on the developmental stages of the coconut fruits from inflorescence initiation up to fruit maturity and the effects on nut production were investigated. The rainfall pattern from 1976 to 1980 was superimposed onto the ontogeny of the coconut fruit and related to yield data from Sep. 1980 to Aug. 1984 (cultivar West Coast Tall grown at 7.5 X 7.5 m and receiving recommended fertilizer applications). Based on total annual rainfall and monthly precipitation, the severity and duration of dry spells corresponding to each stage of nut development were deduced. A critical analysis of the rainfall data in relation to the stages of fruit development revealed that a prolonged dry spell at any of 3 stages, viz. initiation of primordium, ovary development and buttonsize nuts, could adversely affect the productivity of palms, while other stages are comparatively less affected by water stress.The impact of dry spells on the developmental stages of the coconut fruits from inflorescence initiation up to fruit maturity and the effects on nut production were investigated. The rainfall pattern from 1976 to 1980 was superimposed onto the ontogeny of the coconut fruit and related to yield data from Sep. 1980 to Aug. 1984 (cultivar West Coast Tall grown at 7.5 X 7.5 m and receiving recommended fertilizer applications). Based on total annual rainfall and monthly precipitation, the severity and duration of dry spells corresponding to each stage of nut development were deduced. A critical analysis of the rainfall data in relation to the stages of fruit development revealed that a prolonged dry spell at any of 3 stages, viz. initiation of primordium, ovary development and buttonsize nuts, could adversely affect the productivity of palms, while other stages are comparatively less affected by water stress.