Outstanding tall coconut populations selected

Eleven sites in Luzon were identified and outstanding local coconut tall populations were selected as possible sources of quality seednuts for the government’s replanting program.

Dr, Juanito Sangalang, leader of the project funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under the Integrated Coconut R&D Program, reported that these 11 populations are in the provinces of Quezon (6), Batangas (3), and Aurora (2). They have copra yields ranging from 2.5 to 3.4 tons/ha per year and a yield of 9,000-12,700 nuts/ha per year.

According to the report submitted to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), which monitors the project, the total seednut production capacity of these populations is estimated to be sufficient for about 5,000ha/year, which is 10 percent of the replanting target.

Detailed information of these populations have been forwarded and recommended to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for the coconut replanting program.

These coconut planting stocks may also be reestablished with appropriate planting design in strategic coconut growing areas to serve as future sources of open pollinated planting materials.

As such, they may form the base populations for the future generations of coconut farms in the country. — S&T Media Service