Evaluation of selected indigenous coconut accessions for high nut yield and nut quality with special traits in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The conservation and utilization of indigenous coconut accessions or germplasms has been undertaken worldwide due to is economic magnitude. The aim of present study was designed to evaluate the five Tamil Nadu (a southern India state) elite indigenous coconut accessions for high nut yield and nut quality. Experiments were conducted in Coconut Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Veppankulam, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India, during the years 2006 – 2020 for five accessions along with.two checks (Kerakeralam and Aliyarnagar Tall) under ICAR-AICRP on Palms programme. Among the five local genotypes conserved and evaluated, IC 599265 (Selection from Kasangadu local ECT) recorded higher annual nut yield (82 nuts/palm/year) with desirable nut quality characters like higher dehusked nut weight (620g/nut), higher kernel (286 g/nut) and copra content (160g/nut) followed by IC59924 (Selection from Adirampattinam local ECT) which was collected from coastal eco system. IC 599263 (Selection from Thambikkottai local ECT) beared dwarf stature (650 cm/palm) as special trait.