Use of coconut dusk as mulch on green dwarf coconut.

Abstract

Accumulation of coconut dusk in landfill and industries have become an environmental problem. The use of such material as mulch on coconut groves may present advantages such as nutrient recycling, weed control, and reducing water losses by evaporation. On the other hand, coconut dusk may contain toxic levels of tannin, chloride, and sodium, potentially harmful to the soil and some crops. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of applying coconut dusk as mulch on the soil chemical properties, leaf nutrient content, and yield of green dwarf coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). The following treatments were tested: a) mulching with dusk of dry coconut fruits; b) mulching with dusk of dry coconut fruits plus dry manure; c) mulching with dusk of green coconut fruits; d) witness without mulch. Coconut dusk was applied as mulch material twice, within a six months interval, when about 60 kg of the material were applied under the coconut canopy.  The coconut dusk mulch did not influence plant tissue nutrient levels or the coconut yield from 12 to 24 months after the mulch application. However, it increased K, Ca, and Mg levels in the soil compared to the witness treatment. Soil Na and CE levels increased for all treatments during the evaluation period, especially when the green coconut dusk was applied as mulch material.