Glimpses of One Hundred Years of Coconut Research 1916 - 2016

The book, Glimpses of One Hundred Years of Coconut Research, is a compilation of the history of coconut research in India, with special reference to Kerala - the land of coconuts. Coconut research in India was started in the year 1916 by the erstwhile Madras state. The book presents a panoramic view of excerpts from the reports on coconut research from 1916-2016. Academicians, researchers, students, cultivators, historians and all those who are interesed The coconut is one of the most...
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The book, Glimpses of One Hundred Years of Coconut Research, is a compilation of the history of coconut research in India, with special reference to Kerala - the land of coconuts. Coconut research in India was started in the year 1916 by the erstwhile Madras state. The book presents a panoramic view of excerpts from the reports on coconut research from 1916-2016. Academicians, researchers, students, cultivators, historians and all those who are interesed The coconut is one of the most important oil seed crops of the tropics. Every part of the tree is utilized in one way or other. There are innumerable uses to which the various parts of the tree are put: It is no wonder that the tree is called " Kalpavriksha " or "The Paradise Tree" . The book covers studies on a range of aspects like, anatomy, botany, agronomy, meteorology, irrigation, crop improvement and breeding, pests and diseases, processing and value addition, economics of production etc pertaining to coconut palm. During the early period, the focus of research was on palm characters and the anatomical studies. The study of determinants of growth, yield, etc. generated results of considerable practical value. Cultural experiments brought out the importance of regular cultivation of the coconut gardens. Manure requirements for maximum yields were found out and their economic dosage determined. Reportedly, a schedule of the proper cultural and manurial operations for a coconut plantation was drawn and by adopting it the yields at the coconut stations were considerably increased and maintained at a high level. The standard of selection of parent trees, seed nuts and finally the seedlings and nursery practices were perfected after years of research. The Indian Central Coconut Committee was adopting the standards fixed in the nursery schemes sanctioned in the different states. Improvement of the coconut by hybridization was taken up. A collection and study of the exotic varieties of the coconut was made, and economic types suited for propagation and breeding work were fixed. Much work was done on the coconut products of commercial importance, viz., copra, oil and coir and the results achieved were of economic importance not only to the cultivator but also to the trade. Attention was bestowed on the control of the pests and diseases of the coconut.During the post independence period, especially after the of Central Plantation Crop Research Institute and Kerala Agricultural University, several new hybrids in coconut were evolved, multiplied and supplied to farmers. So, also etiology and remedial measures for several pests and diseases were found out. Research is necessarily a continuous process. Though much work has been carried out, much more is remaining to be done. Until recently, the emphasis of research was on increasing the production and productivity of coconut. However, now more thrust is also given on increasing the income of farmers and value addition of coconut products. Research on value addition of coconut inflorescence was also started and technologies were developed for processing soft drink, coconut sap concentrate (Sap Honey) and granulated coconut inflorescence sap. However, research on value additions needs to be intensified to evolve preservation technologies, evolving appropriate processing machineries and technologies that can be commercialised. Considering the shortage of labour, breeding high yielding dwarf varieties shall be a priority area and an appropriate farmer friendly low cost device for harvesting coconut is also a felt need. Though, research on tissue culture of coconut is progressing, much leaves to be desired for evolving technologies for the multiplication of coconut seedlings. So, also effective remedial measures for the management of diseases like root (wilt) wilt etc are yet to be developed. Further research on the various problems is still awaiting solution.