COCONUT FARM

ESTABLISHMENT

Specialized Training on Coconut and Oil Palm Agro

Technologies
April 5, 2022 via zoom platform
 OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
I. LAND PREPARATION
II. PLANTING SYSTEM
III. LAY-OUTING
IV. HOLING
V. TRANSPLANTING
VI. CARE OF YOUNG PALMS
I. LAND PREPARATION

 Clear the area of all debris and thick vegetation,

i.e., felled trees, stumps, piled weeds & shrubs,
and other obstruction and collect in heaps

 These may be covered with covercrops, allowed to

decay or burned if the area is prone to rhinoceros
beetle

 For areas covered with cogon, prepare the land

using plow or tractor or apply herbicides: glyphosate at
3.1 kg. per hectare or paraquat at 2 li. per hectare
I. LAND PREPARATION

 Best to cultivate the soil thoroughly

 On sloping land to minimize erosion, plant

covercrops before planting or construct terraces
following contour lines

 Do not plant in water-logged areas: coconut palms exhibit

yellowing, stunted growth and have poor yield
if intercropping is not intended > to minimize erosion
and prevent weed growth

Broadcast seeds (at the rate of 15-20

kg/ha) uniformly over the entire
field before the last harrowing

Two
Methods
Sow seeds in furrows spaced 0.5 -
0.75 m apart; cover lightly with top
soil

Ensure adequate moisture before & several weeks after

sowing
II. PLANTING SYSTEM
1. RECTANGULAR
Rows are cut at right angles to one another but the distance between
the palms in a row is nearer than that between the rows

allows more room for raising intercrops in the farm

II. PLANTING SYSTEM
2. SQUARE
More common than the triangular method

Does not give the best sunlight utilization and soil coverage because of
the big light patches at the center of each square
3. TRIANGULAR

 Palms are set at fixed equal distances at the corners of an

equilateral triangle

 Accommodates about 15% more palms compared to the

square method per unit area

 Provides the maximum use of sunlight by the palms for its growth
and crop yield
3. TRIANGULAR
4. QUINCUNX

This system is used for replanting old coconut

plantations where the old palms will be removed as
soon as the new seedlings are established. Seedlings
are planted in the center of each square of old palms
5. IRREGULAR
Set of two palms planted at a distance of 1.5m; with 8m
between set of palms; and 16m between rows for a plant
density of 156 coconut palms/ha.
8m x 16m

8 meters

16 meters
16 meters

8 meters
 3m

6.5 m

16 m 3m

4m

8m
 Spacing Distance between rows (m) No. of palms per hectare
(m)
Square Triangular Square Triangular

7.0 x 7.0 7.0 6.1 204 236

7.5 x 7.5 7.5 6.5 178 205
8.0 x 8.0 8.0 6.9 156 180
8.5 x 8.5 8.5 7.4 138 160
9.0 x 9.0 9.0 7.8 123 143
9.5 x 9.5 9.5 8.2 111 128
10.0 x 10.0 10.0 8.7 100 115
III. LAY-OUTING

1
A field compass is for
sighting proper
direction on the field

Compass
Two-sets of calibrated rope

 100 meters long, 6-8 mm

diameter and triple strand
 Two-sets of calibrated rope  One set is calibrated at the required planting
2 distance (PD) and the other set at the required
inter-row distance (IRD)
for 9x9m triangular:

PD is 9 meters

IRD is 7.8 meters

Calibration is done either by marking the length with a fine wire loop around the
calibrated points;

Or by inserting pieces of abaca string or fine electrical wire, 3 – 5 inches long
into the calibrated points
3 Stakes

 1 meter long, straight

narrow, pointed at one
end
 3 cm 12 cm

3 cm
6 cm

100 cm

Planting hole 50 cm

4 Planting
PlantingGuide
guide
 N
1. Establish the field compass in the
chosen spot in the center of the field.

Use a wide diameter, straight stick or

any improvised pod to elevate and
hold compass flat, horizontal and
steady
 N

2. Sight and establish the North-South line.

Place guide stakes at

both ends of this line
compass needle
3. Set the planting
distance on the N-S line
by using the
Planting Distance (PD)
calibrated string.

Stake

Remove the North – South

guide stakes
4. Run perpendicular lines N
crossing the compass spot
and every 10th stake on the N-S line.
Use the field compass
5. Set the inter-row distance N
on these perpendicular lines
using the inter-row distance
(IRD) calibrated string.

Place guide stakes to pinpoint

the row
6. Establish lines in each N
row parallel to the N-S
line.
7. Instaking the first odd N
numbered rows, always set
the first stake at one-half of
the planting distance from
the guide stakes.

 The succeeding stakes are

at full planting distances.

 Remove all guide stakes

on these rows.
8. The even numbered
rows are staked as the N
N-S line.
9. Review and check stake
alignment and correct any N
displaced stake.
Illustration:

15.6 meters

7.8 m

Longest length
(distance)
10. The final step in lay-outing is to establish planting guide stakes.

 Go to an established stake in the field and set it in the middle

notch of the planting guide
 Drive a stake into ground through each of the side notches

 Pull the stake at the middle notch and remove the planting guide
leaving the two newly established stakes.
IV. HOLING

Hole Preparation
• Holes should be dug at 50 x
50 cm size.
• This operation commences as
early as 2 months before
planting to allow for
weathering of the soil on the
sides and bottom of the
holes.
• Weathering is encouraged to
promote early root contact.
 PLANTING HOLE

50 x 50 x 50 cm

topsoil should be separated from the subsoil

 PLANTING HOLE

depth of the
50 x 50 x 50 cm hole
50 cm

knee-deep
Coastal area
150 grams
ammonium
sulfate
100 grams
potassium
chloride

Inland areas
 150 grams
ammonium sulfate
 200 grams
potassium chloride
Return top soil
first followed by
fertilizer

Mix soil and

fertilizer

Add subsoil
V. TRANSPLANTING
 Should be done at the start of rainy season

 seven-month old and above seedlings -

open leaves & protruding roots should be
pruned before transplanting

 Plants should be taken from the nursery

very early in the morning or late in the
afternoon
 Seedlings, which are not immediately
planted, should be placed under the shade,
watered and protected from damage
 Seedling should
be planted at the
center of the
planting hole, in
such a way that
the top of the
seed nut’s husk is
very lightly
covered with soil

 Nut should be 4 to
5 centimeter
below the ground
level
Deep planting might suffocate the
bud while shallow planting might
cause the material to bend, sway
or lean during heavy rains and
windy days.

A slight depression must be

provided to trap rainwater towards
the base of the crown.
The soil around the
base should be
pressed firmly
VI. CARE OF YOUNG PALMS

 First 3 to 4 years are the most critical period

for the growing palms

 Protect from stray animals - fence

 Check drainage - water should not

stagnate in seedling holes
continuously for long periods
VI. CARE OF YOUNG PALMS
 Remove weeds within about 1-2 m radius
of palms or apply mulch using dry weeds,
coco husks, farm wastes & other organic
mulches
 Replace dead plants, unhealthy & stunted
seedlings. Reserve 15 healthy
seedlings/ha for replacement

 Apply fertilizers regularly

THANK YOU!