Vol. 12, Special Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
Poornima Yadav PI, Manu CR, Lekha M and Shilpa P

Abstract:
Kerala state is known as God’s own country which is widely known for beauty of coconut plantations and back waters. The name Kerala is from the word ‘Kera’ means coconut. However its cultivation is affected by various problems like soil related, pests and disease related, drought related etc. which leads to poor productivity. Soil related constraints include high acidity, toxicities of nutrients and deficiencies of nutrients. Nutrient management in coconut is a very difficult under soil limiting factors which is considered as highly significant because the palm entails a continuous supply of nutrients throughout the year for sustained productivity. Hence a balanced and integrated nutrient management is essential for enhanced productivity of coconut palms. widespread deficiencies of N, K, S, Zn, Fe, B etc. have emerged in many places of Kollam district and significant crop responses to application of these nutrients have been reported. Hence, evaluation of fertility status of the soils of an area is an important aspect in the context of sustainable agriculture. In this background, a study was undertaken at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kollam Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala with an objectives to assess the fertility status of coconut growing tracts of East Kallada Panchayath of Kollam district of Kerala state and demonstrate soil test based nutrient application for enhancing the productivity of coconut from 2015-16 to 2019-20. Before the implementation of programme, soil samples were collected from the coconut gardens of participating farmers and analysed for pH, available macro and micro nutrients. The yield data from individual plots were recorded. Initial soil analysis revealed that 91.67% of samples were high acidic in nature. Most of the soils were low in organic carbon content and toxicities of P, Fe, Mn and deficiency of Mg and B were the other soil limiting factors. The farmers were advised to follow the soil test based nutrient management in the respective coconut gardens and supplied with chemical fertilizers for macro and micro nutrients. The study was constantly monitored and farmers were exposed to capacity building programmes on nutrient management for the entire project period (2015-16 to 2019-20). Soil samples were again drawn after the completion of programme (2019-20) and were subjected to analysis. It is evident from the study that the soil fertility status was increased. There was a reduction in the number of soil samples came under the category of severely acidic, low organic carbon content, deficiency of potassium, Mg and B. Due to the improvement in soil fertility, the final yield was also increased from 20 nuts per palm per year to 38 nuts per palm per year.