The Coconut palm is an erect tropical palm grown for its fruit.

Major Coconut producing countries are Fiji and Samoa, as well as in the humid tropics, such as India, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

India is the third largest Coconut producer in the world having production of over 119 million tones per annum

Major Coconut producing states are Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam and Bihar.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Arecales
• Family: Arecaceae
• Genus: Cocos
• Species: nucifera

• Fruit is the most economically important part of Coconut

The coconut palm is found to grow under varying climatic and soil conditions.

It is essentially a tropical plant growing mostly between 20˚N 20˚S latitudes.

A rainfall of about 2000 mm per year, well distributed throughout, is ideal for proper growth and maximum production.

Coconut is grown under different soil types such as loamy, laterite, coastal sandy, alluvial, clayey and reclaimed soils of the marshy low lands.

• The major challenges involve Biotic and Abiotic causes.
• Biotic Causes:
  • Major Pest: Eriophid Mite, White Grub, Black Headed Caterpillar, Coreid Bug and Mealy Bugs.
  • Major Diseases: Bud Rot, Stem Bleeding, Tanjavur Wilt,  Crown Chocking and Tatipaka Disease.
• Abiotic Causes:
  • Lethal yellowing disease
  • Chlorosis
  • Green discoloration
  • Leaf wrinkling
  • Hook leaf