Vol. 10, Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
B Rakesh, A Ramar, S Velmurugan, K Vanitha and N Saranya

Abstract:
A study was conducted to determine the morphological characters in coconut haustorium produced during the germination of nuts. During germination, the embryo enlarges to form white fleshy spongy apple possessing the serrated cotyledonary structure. The cultivar Chowghat Orange Dwarf shows earlier germination and haustorium development than the West Coast Tall cultivar. The results indicated that COD: WCT cultivar at 60 to 120 days after sowing viz., shoot length (14.66 to 76.66: 5.33 to 67.83 cm), haustorium fresh weight (20.56 to 118.40: 8.50 to 103.74 g), haustorium dry weight (2.77 to 14.94: 1.97 to 13.32 g), kernel weight (191.48 to 85.70: 207.27 to 132.73 g) and nut water volume (25.20 to 0.00: 47.10 to 0.00 ml) were evaluated. Coconut kernel exhausts successively, while the haustorium fills the cavity gradually. Haustorium development occurs statically along with seedling growth. The shoot length, haustorium fresh and dry weight were gradually increased but the kernel weight was slightly decreased. The nut water was continuously reduced during different developmental stages and completely disappeared at 100 days after sowing.