Publication Date
1989
Description
Pastures are extensively grown under coconut palms, and mainly grazed by cattle (Plucknett, 1979). The main advantages of this form of mixed cropping are : (a) diversification of products, (b) additional income, (c) feed for draft animals, (d) weed control, and (e) more rapid nutrient cycling. Surprisingly little information is available on the effects of pastures and coconut palms on each other (Plucknett, 1979) ; even less is known about the mechanisms of competition between them. This study was designed to study the effects of coconut palms on pasture. A trenching technique was used to investigate the effects of below-ground competition, and shading was used to simulate above-ground competition. The effects of varying the supply of macronutrients and water on competition were also studied. No attempt was made to investigate the reciprocal effects of the pasture species on coconut palms.
Citation
Snaydon, R W.; Fernando, D.N S.; and Sangakkara, R, "The Effects of Coconut Palms on Pasture Understory" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 69.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session1/69
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Effects of Coconut Palms on Pasture Understory
Pastures are extensively grown under coconut palms, and mainly grazed by cattle (Plucknett, 1979). The main advantages of this form of mixed cropping are : (a) diversification of products, (b) additional income, (c) feed for draft animals, (d) weed control, and (e) more rapid nutrient cycling. Surprisingly little information is available on the effects of pastures and coconut palms on each other (Plucknett, 1979) ; even less is known about the mechanisms of competition between them. This study was designed to study the effects of coconut palms on pasture. A trenching technique was used to investigate the effects of below-ground competition, and shading was used to simulate above-ground competition. The effects of varying the supply of macronutrients and water on competition were also studied. No attempt was made to investigate the reciprocal effects of the pasture species on coconut palms.
