Coconut-timber Tree Production Systems in Kerala: Influence of Species and Planting Geometry on Early Growth of Trees and Coconut Productivity

Abstract

The coconut based mixed species systems in the tropics often aim at improved resource capture through incorporating several trees and field crops Productivity of palms and the associated tree components in such mixed systems are, however, known to vary in response to the tree characteristics, planting pattern/geometry and shade tolerance of the components. The effects of three fast growing trees (Vateria indica, Ailanthus triphysa and Grevillea robusta, besides sole coconut) grown in association with coconut palms following two planting geometries (single row and double row), on the productivity of coconuts and the growth of multipurpose trees were studied Ailanthus trihysa demonstrated better growth than others with mean annual increments of 118 and 2.62 cm yr^-1 for height and basal stem diameter (at 50 months after planting) respectively, compared to 98 and 1.26 cm yr^-1 for Grevillea robusta, which showed the next best height growth. Shade tolerance appears to be a major determinant of tree growth rates. It was concluded that integrating shade tolerant timber trees in the coconut based production systems, would increase the overall productivity and profitability of coconut farms, with no adverse effect on the main crop yield in the short term.