Coconut water :
Coconut water as a growth Promoter
We all are aware that the coconut water is healthy drink for all of us. It is good commercial crop for the farmers. It is used religiously at temples also. We all pay when we want to drink this tender coconut water and even at temples we try to drink it instead of wasting it. But due to many reasons which are beyond our control, a huge quantity of coconut water is wasted at many temples on day to basis.
On other side cost of inputs for the farmers by means of fertilizer and for seed treatment is increasing. This has a cost for government which means you and us all in terms of subsidy.
So when we look at these two situations can this waste coconut water help the farmers to meet his seed treatment and fertilizer requirement it would be beneficial to society by economic and environment point of view. So a waste product can be made to a high valued product.
Uses of coconut water in farming:
- It can replace many growth promoters.
- Coconut water can replace inorganic fertilizers.
- It can replace chemicals used for seed and seedlings treatment.
Why coconut is good in farming : - Coconut water has electrolytes and Cytokinins hormones that signal the plant to divide cells in the roots and growing shoots, equalling explosive growth.
- Because of Gibberellic Acid (GA) in it, it increases germination of seeds and root development in cuttings.
- Plant nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and other minerals in it are good for plants.
- Being rich in minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, it offers uncontaminated nutritional support for the development of good bacteria that are vital for plant growth.
- Coconut water contains Auxins (plant hormones that regulate growth) hence it can be used as a successful rooting hormone.
How to use : - Dilute coconut water in normal water (50 ml coconut water in 1 litre of water) and use to spray, once in 2-4 weeks.
- Fresh and raw coconut water is good for all these.
- Coconut milk is different from coconut water; here we are talking of coconut water.
- Dipping of seeds or cuttings for five minutes would enhance germination.
Observation observed in previous studies on coconut water conducted by different scientists.
- Formulated coconut water is as effective as the commercial liquid fertilizer in terms of its effect on height, fresh weight.
- Commercial liquid fertilizer and formulated coconut water are almost comparable in terms of their effects on soil pH, soil organic matter, and soil available phosphorus.
- Another study states that the application of coconut water enhances the soil nutrient availability and uptake of NPK and other essential plant elements, which results in an increased number of pods per pot and grain yield.
- Providing coconut water to recently repotted plants helps in reducing transplant shock.
- When used on cocoa seedlings, there was significant increase in height and stem diameter of cocoa seedlings to which coconut water was applied.
- There was significant improvement in soil fertility level after application of coconut water.
- Coconut water applied at the beginning of the vanilla flowering stage has a significant effect on fruit dimensions and on the accumulation of fruit dry matter and may be an organic option for supplying nutrients and increasing vanilla yield.
With all above in knowledge, we need to understand that from now onwards coconut water at any temple shall be put in 1-5 litre bottle and made available to farmers.
They shall use it for seed treatment for the crops they grow in their locality and see for the results.
They shall also use it as foliar spray to the crops at 40 – 50 ml per litre of water.
So coconut can also be referred as groconuts.
Sudhakar Reddy Garu.
CTG -Hyderabad