Fertilization Improves Cold Tolerance in Coconut Palm

Abstract

Coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) in a field planting that were fertilized with a 8N–0.9P–10K–4Mg fertilizer four times per year or were never fertilized experienced chilling injury (CI) temperatures in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Fertilized coconut palms had significantly less foliar necrosis in each year than unfertilized palms and also retained more of their fruits. The number of leaves supported by each palm, a measure of potassium (K) deficiency severity, was improved by fertilization and was negatively correlated with percentage of necrosis of the foliage caused by cold temperatures. Nitrogen and K concentrations in leaf 1 of coconut palms were also negatively correlated with CI severity.