Evaluation of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Genotypes for Yield and Yield Attributing Traits under Maidan Tract of Karnataka, India

Abstract

The evaluation of elite coconut germplasm is essential for identifying high-yielding and climate-resilient genotypes suitable for diverse agro-climatic regions. The present investigation was undertaken to assess the growth, yield, and yield attributing traits of six elite exotic coconut genotypes along with the check variety Kalpatharu (KPT) under the agro-climatic conditions of Arsikere, Hassan District of Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications and the palms were planted during December 2015. The genotypes differed significantly for all the growth, flowering and yield attributes. Nigerian Green Tall (NGT) recorded the highest plant girth (105.00 cm), petiole length (141.67 cm) and total leaf length (376.67 cm), indicating the superior vegetative vigour, while Kalpatharu (KPT) attained the maximum plant height (2.07 m). Among the exotic entries, Straits Settlement Green Tall (SSGT) was the earliest to produce flowers (52.00 months) and recorded the highest number of inflorescences per annum (9.33), female flowers per palm (71.00) and nut yield (17.70 nuts palm⁻¹). Guam-II (GUBT) registered the highest fruit set (33.80%). The overall performance revealed that the Straits Settlement Green Tall (SSGT) is the promising genotype for improving coconut productivity in the maidan tract of Karnataka.