Meteorological conditions afect the seasonal development and yield of green dwarf coconut

Condições meteorológicas afetam o desenvolvimento sazonal e a produção de frutos de coqueiro-anão-verde

ABSTRACT

Understanding the green dwarf coconut palm development is essential to improve its management. This study aimed to characterize and understand the seasonality of the green dwarf coconut palm development and yield under rainfed and irrigated conditions in the northeastern region of the Pará state, Brazil. The longitudinal and transverse diameters, fruit mass and yield, in addition to the number of live leaves, live bunches, fruits of the bunches nº 11 and 14 and female fowers were monitored. The coconuts between the bunches nº 20 and 22 showed larger dimensions and biomass (fresh and dry). The partition of the production components varies according to the time of the year, with the liquid albumen mass, which is a component of greater commercial focus, being higher in the rainy season, with lower percentage losses in the irrigated cultivation. The meteorological seasonality plays a key role in fower dropping and fruit abortion, directly contributing to the amount of produced fruits.

KEYWORDS:
Cocos nucifera L.; fruit biomass; inforescence abortion