Phenology of coconut palms on the Coastal Zone of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to study the phenology of two coconut palm cultivars (yellow dwarf, green dwarf) and a hybrid (PB 121). The study was conducted at the Itapirema Research Unit, Goiana, PE, Brazil. Weekly observations were taken from the vegetative and reproductive phases of five plants of each one of the cultivars studied, during the period of January/96 through January/97. Data on the water balance were used to associate phenology and local water availability. The amount of degrees-day varied between 266 degrees-day, during the rainy season, and 350 degrees-day, during the dry season. The predominant quadrant for the emission of the inflorescence as well as for the wind direction was determined. Also the indexes of flower fecundity and fruit production were established. The species studied is perennial. All three cultivars produced around 11 leaves yearly. Dead leaves were verified during the whole experiment period. Flowering occurred during the whole year. The plants produced one inflorescence/month, occasionally two (yellow dwarf, hybrid), during the dry period. The cultivars produced the same number of inflorescences, but not the same in development. The flowering is cornucopia type. Fruits under different development stages were observed in a same specimen and cluster. The wind direction, as well as the quadrant of inflorescence position established were predominantly Southeastern. There were significant differences among the treatments.