It is a fruit plant which is grown in tropical and sub-tropical areas. The tree attains the height of 30m and the leaf is approximately 4-5m long. The coconut kernel and its oil are used for making soaps, cosmetics and hair oils. Coconut oil is known as mother of all oils as it is widely used and contains full of minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants. The major coconut producing countries are India, Indonesia and Philippines. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Goa are the major coconut growing states in India. It also has health benefits such as it helps in preventing obesity, improves digestion, immune system, and boosts energy.

In Maharashtra, near about 1% area is under coconut cultivation and this area is mainly concentrated in Konkan region. 

It is grown in variety of soils ranging from red sandy loam to alluvial soil and laterite to coastal sandy well-drained soils. Avoid cultivation is clayey soil. Soil having depth of 1.2-1.5m and have good water holding capacity is ideal for the coconut farming. The pH range having 5.0-8.0 is optimum for coconut farming.

Banavali: It is also called as “West coast tall”. This variety start giving fruits after six to eight years. Gives average yield of 75 – 100fruits/palm. Oil percentage is about 62-65%.

Orange dwarf: Is is also called as Singapoor variety. Plants are dwarf with orange color fruits. Start to give fruits after four to five years. Its oil content is about 55%.

T x D: It is developed after crossing of tall and dwarf variety. Its fruit quality is good and plant start to give early fruits. Near about 100-125fruits obtained from one tree per year. 

Pratap: Developed by Konkan Krushi Vidyapith, Dapoli. High yielding variety with large size fruits. 

Chandrakalpa: It is similar to tall variety. It give average yield of 127 fruits/palm/year. It is high yielding tall variety compared to all other varieties of India.

Phillipins Ordinary: Tall variety gives average yield of 105fruits/palm/year. Large size fruits with 69% oil content. 

Kera Chandra: Tall variety, gives annual yield of 90-200 fruits/tree. 

Kalpa Pratibha: Tall variety having high water content. 

Other state varieties: 

Tall varieties: West Coast Tall, East coast tall, Lakshadweep Ordinary, Andaman Ordinary, Java, Philippines Ordinary, Andaman Joint, Fizzy Tall, Lakshadweep Micro, Cochin China, Straight Settlement Green, Kappadam, Komadan, Spiketa etc. Its fruits are medium to big in size. The fruits are round to egg shaped and are green, yellow-green to brown in color. 

Dwarf varieties: Chowghat Orange Dwarf, Chowghat Dwarf, Andaman Dwarf, Malayan Yellow Dwarf, Malayan Green Dwarf, Malayan Orange Dwarf, Ganga Bondam, Coconino, Chandrakala, Pratap Care Chandra, Lakshganga, Anand Ganga, Chandralaksh, PHC 1, PHC, Godavari Ganga etc. Fruits are small and green, yellow to purple and brown in color. 

Double century: Tall variety, start to give yield after six to eight years. It gives average yield of 130nuts/tree/year. Its oil percentage is about 66%. 

Gangabondam: Semi dwarf variety, start to give yield after four years. Coconut is of elliptical shape with sweet water. It gives average yield of 60nuts/tree/year.

Godavari Ganga: Hybrid variety released for AP cultivation. Start to give yield within three to four average oil yield of 68%. It gives average yield of 150nuts/tree/Year.

Well prepared land is required for coconut farming. To bring the soil to fine tilth, leveling is required.

Time of sowing

Carry out planting with onset of Monsoon i.e. from middle of June onwards. 

Spacing

Use square method of planting. For sowing use spacing of 7.5mx7.5m as per area availability.

Sowing Depth

Dug pits of size having 1m X 1m X 1m dimensions and then the pits are filled with loose top soil, Single super Phosphate@2kg and well decomposed powdered cow dung upto the depth of 60cm before planting.

Method of sowing

Transplanting of seedlings in main field. For transplanting use 9 to 12month old seedlings. 

Seed Rate

With spacing of 7.5mx7.5m, approximately 70palms are accommodated in one acre land. 

Select fully matured nuts of 12month old. For seed selection, use nuts selected from September to May month season. Keep them in shade and cover with sand and sprinkled water on it. Sow coconut in nursery with spacing of 30cmx30cm. Plant nursery in June – July month.

 Nutrient Requirement (gm/tree)

Sow green manure crops like sunhemp or dhaincha before start of rainy season. And buried this crop in field when crop is at flowering stage. 

Apply fertilizer as mention in table. Apply these fertilizers in three equal splits i.e. first dose in month of June – July,second dose in September - October month and third dose in February month. Fertilizers should be applied 0.5 to 2meter away from tree trunk.

In summer, apply irrigation with interval of seven to ten days.Number of Irrigation varies with soil type and climate. Increased irrigation frequency according to it. In monsoon month, it does not required irrigation.