Development of a Dwarf x Tall coconut hybrid ‘Kalpa Samrudhi’

Abstract

An evaluation trial conducted over 28 years on coconut hybrid combinations has resulted in identification of a superior, high yielding Dwarf x Tall hybrid, named as ‘Kalpa Samrudhi’ involving IND 058S as female parent and IND 069S as male parent. The results revealed that the hybrid is better performing over other hybrids and local control with higher fruit yield (117 fruits palm-1 year-1), high copra out turn (25.72 kg palm-1 year-1 or 4.5 t ha-1 year-1 copra) and estimated oil recovery of 3.04 tonnes ha-1 under rainfed conditions of Kerala. The palms of the hybrid are semi tall, take an average of 45 months for initiation of flowering under rainfed conditions, possess good tender nut water quality (TSS 6o Brix) and higher quantity (346 mL per tender nut). The tender nut water has Na content of 35.1 ppm and K content of 2370 ppm. The hybrid recorded 30.27 per cent more nut yield, 66.05 per cent more copra yield and 73.71 per cent more oil yield over another released Dwarf x Tall hybrid ‘Chandra Sankara’. The seedlings of the hybrid are more vigorous, producing higher number of leaves within 12 months, having higher leaf area and dry weight indicating precocity in growth and development. The flowering, morphological and fruit component traits of the hybrid were compared with parental palms. The characteristics of this hybrid and its performance indicate potential to increase the production and productivity of coconut.