Organic way vs Chemical based methods in Coconut Farming

Plant care could be broadly divided into

1. Nutrition Management

2. Pest Control

NUTRITION MANAGEMENT

The Traditional Way:

Mulching is the process of covering the top layer of soil with organic materials that can decompose. In organic farming, it is common practice to mulch the soil. When the soil is mulched, microbes continuously work on breaking down the organic matter on the surface. Throughout the year, these microbes release the decomposed materials, which are rich in nutrients, back into the soil. This continuous nutrient supply enriches the soil. If the soil is left exposed to sunlight, the microbes cannot thrive, resulting in their depletion and a decline in soil health.

By covering the soil with mulch, moisture retention is improved, which helps conserve water. Additionally, here are some pictures from our farm to provide visual examples.

These are certain practices followed to improve the microbial activity at the field and hence to improve soil carbon.

• Amirthakaraisal

• Fish amino acid

• Fermented oil cake residue

Interested to know more about the making and application of these supplements, here is the link 

The Chemical Way

• The main nutrients required for a plant/tree is Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, in short called NPK. These are available in 50kg bags and are applied twice a year for every tree @1 to 1.5kg/tree.

And the micronutrients, micronutrients are available in both solid and liquid form. The application of liquid form is by tying the liquid pouch to a healthy coconut root. The root would absorb the chemical in two days time.

• To destroy weeds, pesticides are sprayed atlease once in 2 to 3 months. The pesticide used for weed control is banned at many countries as researchers have found that the content of the pesticide used for weed control is found in some cancer cells and hence suspecting this chemical could induce cancer.

PEST CONTROL

The Traditional Way:

Rhinoceros bettle attack
Castor seeds are crushed, mixed in water and allowed to ferment in a pot. More such pots are made and kept across the farm. The odour that comes out of fermentation attracts Rhinoceros beetle. The beetle would fall into the pot and would not be able to come out of the fermented solution.

White flies attack

White fly attack is a kind of new and not older than 5 to 7 years. The fly sticks to the back side of the leaves and sucks watery content from the leaves. As a result the size of the coconut shrinks. The dominance of this pest differs across seasons.

1. If it is limited number of trees, say 10 to 15 trees in the field, the flies could be washed by pressure spraying the water to the back side of the leaves.

2. There are certain microbes when applied over these flies would stick to it and destroy them. These microbes could be sprayed using pressure sprayers.

The Chemical Way:

Rhinoceros bettle attack

Most used chemical in coconut groove is to control Rhinoceros bettle.

Coconut trees would be widely impacted by Rhinoceros bettle, they do make a hole in the tree and spoil the tree if not attended on time. To kill those insects a chemical tablet would be placed in the hole made by the insect and would be sealed with cement or such kind. It would be advised not to consume coconuts from such trees for atleast 6 months. But, the trees are already leased and leased company would not bother to harvest from those trees as well.

White flies attack

At regular intervals pesticides are sprayed. Once sprayed the intensity of the attack seems to show reduced but after a while the flies again dominate.