It is a tropical 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.

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.

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.
 

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

In laterite soils, pits of size having 1m X 1m X 1m dimensions are dug and then the pits are filled with loose soil, ash and powdered cow dung upto the depth of 60cm before planting and in loamy soil, pits of size having 1m X 1m X 1m dimensions are dug and then the pits are filled with top soil upto the depth of 50cm. In sandy loamy soils, pits of size having 75cm X 75cm X 75cm dimensions are dug. Seedlings having minimum of six leaves is recommended to plant directly in the main field. Seedlings are mainly planted with the onset of pre-monsoon during May month.

Time of sowing:
Sowing is done in May-June month.

Spacing:
Use plant spacing of 7.6m-7.9m. Planting distance is different in triangular sowing method and square sowing method.
 

Seed rate:
Approximately 71 palms in per acre land are suitable for sowing.

For first 3 years, add organic manure@10kg/pit and then add organic manure@20-25kg/pit in June-July month is helpful. In irrigated areas, use of fertilizer in two parts, one-third dose is added in April-June month and 2/3rd dose is added in September-October month. Application of Dolomite@1kg in April-May month and magnesium sulphate@500gm in August-September month should be done.
 

Irrigation is required depending upon the season and climate. Mainly an adult coconut requires 600-16,000ltr of water at adequate interval. Drip irrigation is best method for irrigation as it saves water, energy and labour.

• Pest and their control:
  

Rhinoceros Beetle: It makes the hole on the leaves.
Treatment: Carbaryl@600gm should be done to treat this beetle.
 

Mite: It harms the plant by eating its soft parts and on leaves brown color spots are seen.
Treatment: Spraying of Omite@200ml should be done.
 

Root beetle: It harms the roots of the plant which will result in yellowing of tree and also decreases the yield.
Treatment: Spraying of Malathion@400ml or quinalphos@400ml should be done to get rid from red beetle.
 

Bug: It harms the soft fruits.
Treatment: Spraying of Carbaryl@600gm is done to get rid from bugs.

• Disease and their control:
  

Bud rot: The symptoms are yellowing of leaves and black spots appear on the spindle leaves.
Treatment: Spraying of Bordeaux mixture@1% should be done to protect from bud rot.
 

Leaf rot: The tree starts weakening which will result in decrease crop yield. 
Treatment: Spraying of Mancozeb@400gm in 150ltr of water should be done.

 

Well-developed nuts are harvested before one month of full maturity. Mainly 2-6 harvestings should be done. It gives an average yield of 80-100nuts/tree/year.