Coconut palm

Cocos nucifera

1. Identification and origin

The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) is an evergreen palm of the Arecaceae family, widely distributed in tropical regions. Its exact origin is debated, but it is thought to have arisen in Southeast Asia and/or the Indo-Pacific region. It is one of the most emblematic plants of tropical coastal ecosystems and one of the economically most important species in the world.

2. Economic importance

The coconut palm is a multifunctional crop, providing:

• Fresh coconut (water and pulp) for direct consumption.
• Coconut oil, used in food, cosmetics and industry.
• Copra, a raw material for oil extraction.
• Coconut fibre for cordage, substrates and industrial materials.
• Wood and leaves for traditional construction and handicrafts.
• It is a strategic crop in tropical countries, with a strong social and economic impact.

3. Botanical characterisation

A tall palm, which can reach 20–30 m in height. The trunk is single, ringed, slightly inclined in coastal environments. The leaves are pinnate, long, forming a terminal crown. The inflorescences are panicles protected by a woody spathe. The fruits are fibrous drupes, containing the seed (the “coconut”), rich in oil and water. The root system is fasciculate, without a main root, adapted to sandy soils.

4. Soil and climate requirements

A strictly tropical species, developing best at temperatures between 25–32 °C. It requires high light levels and atmospheric humidity. It tolerates sandy, poor and saline soils, provided they are well drained. It prefers a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. It is highly tolerant of salinity and coastal winds, but sensitive to frost.

5. Main pests

• Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus): borings in the stipe and death of the palm.
• Rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros): damage to young leaves and reduced growth.
• Mites (Tetranychidae): chlorosis and loss of vigour.
• Defoliating caterpillars (Lepidoptera): reduction of the leaf area.
• Sucking bugs (Hemiptera): damage to young fruits.

6. Main diseases

• Lethal yellowing (phytoplasma): rapid decline and death of the palm.
• Stipe rots (Ganoderma spp.): internal necrosis and toppling of the palm.
• Leaf spot (Pestalotiopsis spp.): necrotic lesions on leaves.
• Root rots (Phytophthora spp.): decline and death of seedlings.
• Red ring (Bursaphelenchus cocophilus): vascular necrosis and death of the plant.

7. General crop management

Management includes the selection of adapted varieties, planting in well-drained soils, balanced fertilisation and weed control. Monitoring of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Oryctes rhinoceros is essential, with removal of infested tissues and the use of traps with attractant / pheromone. Preventing stipe diseases requires avoiding wounds and maintaining good cultural hygiene. Harvesting should be adjusted to the end use: green coconut for water, ripe coconut for copra or oil.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Cocos nucifera.
• CABI Crop Compendium – Cocos nucifera.
• Child, R. (1974). Coconuts. Longman.
• Bourdeix, R. et al. (2005). Coconut genetic resources. Bioversity International.
• DebMandal, M. et al. (2011). Coconut: versatility of the palm tree. Journal of Food Science and Technology.