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ETHREL STIMULATION OF INFLORESCENCE SAP FLOW IN TAPPED COCONUT (COCOS NUCIFERA) PALMS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2003

C. S. RANASINGHE
Affiliation:
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila 61150, Sri Lanka
U. P. DE S. WAIDYANATHA
Affiliation:
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila 61150, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The effect of Ethrel on the yield and sugar content of coconut (Cocos nucifera) inflorescence sap and sustainability of productivity was investigated on forty-year-old tall coconut palms (var. typica) at Bandirippuwa Estate, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka. Ethrel was applied at a concentration of 2.5% and the volume and sugar content of the sap were measured. Application of Ethrel consistently increased the yield per day, yield per spadix, yield per palm per annum and sugar content in the sap for a period of four years. The removal of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium with the sap was greater from Ethrel-treated than from untreated palms, and this was attributed mainly to the enhanced sap yields and sugar concentrations.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2003 Cambridge University Press

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