A COMPARISON OF TWO COCONUT CULTIVARS FOR HIGH PRODUCTIVITY UNDER IRRIGATION

Over four decades of research indicate that the cultivar CRIC65 is capable of producing a sustained higher yield compared to CRIC60 in the absence of adverse soil water deficit. Data indicate that the cumulative yield of nuts and copra are 50% higher in CRIC65 than in CRIC60 over a period of 32 years. Inadequate soil water would appear to be the main limiting factor to the yield production in CRIC65. The argument is, therefore made, that if coconut is to be grown under irrigation, the cultivar CRIC65 should be selected due to its high potential productivity.