Effect of NPK fertilization on the mineral nutrition and yield of three coconut genotypes

Abstract

Annual application of NPK fertilizers over a 18 year period to coconut on red sandy loam soils resulted in a minimal increase in mineralisable N, but in a marked increase in available P and K. Plant N levels, however, reflected the improved N nutrition but did not reach sufficiency levels found elsewhere. An available P status of 15 ppm in the control plots kept leaf P at sufficiency levels. P fertilizers did not increase the P content of leaves. K fertilizers raised the K leaf content to sufficiency levels. Doubling the M₁ fertilizer rates of 500 g N, 220 g P and 830 g K per palm per year had no effect on N, P and K levels in the palm leaves.

Changes in K levels of the leaves had antagonistic effects on leaf Mg (r = − 0.68^**) and leaf Na (r = − 0.87^**). As this effect brings leaf Mg close to deficiency values palms receiving K might need additional Mg as well.

The findings and interpretation of soil and leaf analysis data were confirmed by large yield responses to application of NPK fertilizers. Genetic differences between palms in their response to levels of nutrient supplies were apparent. The CDO × WCT hybrid outyielded the high yielding WCT variety especially when NPK was given at the M₁ level. The response in yield to applied fertilizers was linear for WCT and curvilinear for the hybrids CDO × WCT and WCT × CDO.