Long-term response to coconut leaf pruning of selected coconut annual intercrops cropping systems
2002
Magat, S.S. (Philippine Coconut Authority, Diliman, Quezon City 1128 (Philippines). Agricultural Research Management Dept.) Canja, L.H. | Secretaria, M.I. | Margate, R.Z.
A 9-yr (1993-2002) coconut leaf pruning (CLP) study involving local tall Laguna variety (19-28 yr, 9m x 9m triangular planting) intercropped with selected annual food crops (corn, peanut and sweet potato) was conducted at the Davao Research Center, Philippine Coconut Authority (Bago-Oshiro, Davao City, Philippines) to understand the effects of CLP on the production and income of coconut and intercrops. Results generally indicated that CLP starting at leaf ranks (LR) 19 or 23 and onwards significantly decreased nut and copra yield per palm but increased copra weight per nut (meat size) was noted with a rather 2.3%-2.8% increase. The yield reduction (27%-29%) at CLP level 19 (18 leaves maintained by the palm) was higher as compared to CLP level 23 (22 leaves maintained) with only 17%-19% reduction. The sun loving annual intercrops as corn and peanut showed better growth and yield (34% and 45% increases, respectively) under CLP condition. Consequently, higher income (intercrops and pruned leaves) resulted to higher net returns and benefit-cost ratio (BCR), thus, offsetting any reduction in yield due to CLP practice eventually achieving optimized total farm productivity and maximum farm profitability. However, for the shade tolerant sweet potato with CLP, tuber production remained unaffected. Moreover, an apparent positive influence of CLP on the production of coconuts during the prolonged drought or El Nino was also manifested
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