Advances in cultivation of coconut

Publication date: 09/12/2019
Extent: 32 pages

Contributions by: M. A. Foale, Quang Thien Nguyen and Steve W. Adkins, The University of Queensland, Australia

Chapter synopsis: The coconut palm, source of staple human nourishment in the coastal tropics, produced the first vegetable oil traded in a significant volume between the tropical and temperate worlds, beginning in the mid 19th century. New processing methods have led to coconut oil and water becoming much more valuable in the early 21st century, ushering in demand for regeneration, expansion and improved management of primary production and the adding of value to products. The chapter explores the challenges of improving potential yield of the coconut, protecting the coconut from biohazards and the mass production of elite genotypes. The chapter examines the difficulties associated with achieving affordable somatic embryogenesis, and looks at the management of coconut from nursery to productive plantation, as well as the process of harvesting and the processing of end products. Finally, the chapter looks ahead to future research trends in this area.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2019.0054.22