A cost-effective ground pollination system for hybridization in tall coconut palms

Abstract

Large-scale production of hybrid seed nuts of commercially cultivated palms such as coconut, arecanut, oil palm and date palm is of prime importance due to the high demand for hybrid nuts and their role in augmenting the production of these crops. However, commercial production of hybrid nuts in these crops is impeded by various factors such as height of the palms, cost and availability of labour, low percentage of fruit-setting, seasonal influences like monsoon rains, etc. We report here the development and use of a simple, viable, cost-effective and labour-saving device for pollinating tall palms from ground-level, which is ideal for large-scale commercial production of coconut hybrids, even by farmers. At least four climbs per coconut palm can be saved by this method during the hybridization process. This simple method can enhance the availability of hybrid seedlings at a cheaper rate to coconut farmers. This method of pollination developed for coconut, can easily be adapted to other commercially important palms depending on the bunch morphology.