Assessment Of Experience With High Yielding Varieties Of Coconut In Sri Lanka
The information is based on the results of on islundwide survey, designed to assess the performance of two improved coconut varieties, namely CR1C 60 (tall x tall) and CRIC 65 (dwarf x tall or tall x dwarf), developed locally in the 1960 and now produced in commercial quantities. Although results under the controlled conditions of test plots were encouraging, information on performance under the varied conditions of cultivation and management in farmers fields has hitherto been meager. Clear differences were observed in yield potential and requirements for cultivation in two varieties , which also influenced their acceptability and suitability in different socio economic conditions. The dwarf into tall hybrid, CRIC 65, was generally felt to be unsatisfactory inspite of such desirable features as early flowering, precocity in bearing and exceptionally high yields under favourable soil and climatic conditions and good management, due to its susceptibility to drought, heavy prem ature nutfall particularly in the early stages of bearing and erratic yield performance. It was more dem anding in its requirements and consequently management was more difficult. The improved tall, CRIC 60, found favour with the growers due to vigorous growth, satisfactory yields and absence of undesirable features generally associated with the hybrid. Inadequate extension services, non availability of planting material and other inputs such as fertilizer at the required time etc. are some of the problems encountered by the farmers. Farmers needs and preferences must be considered in developing new varieties. In recent years drought seems to be more frequent and longer in duration than that in the past. Hence it is essential to develop varieties which can grow and yield at commercial levels whether or not there is a drought. For this purpose, the natural genetic diversity in ability to tolerate dry conditions is being exploited and the search for drought tolerance continues.