Identification of prepotent motherpalms in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) variety, KOMADAN

Abstract

A systematically arranged experiment on Pedigree Progeny Analysis was conducted during 1981-82 in the premises of the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, with 40 randomnly chosen trees of the coconutpalm, type KOMADAN. The advantages of following a Triphasic Selection Schedule carried out at the levels of the motherpalm population, seednuts and the one year old seedling progeny in the nursery, and the special worth of identifying, on the basis of the information made available through the conduct of the early seedling progeny analysis, the prepotent palms, are substantiated. Accordingly, a recommendation in favour of confining for benefit, extensive seednut collection, exclusively to such palms as mentioned above, identified from among those in a chosen lot, characterized by phenotypically distinguishable overall healthy outlook, followed by exposure to a procedure of more intensively rigorousselection in the nursery, of superior seedlings is proposed.