Potential use of green coconut shell liquid in young dwarf coconut plants

Abstract

The pressing of green coconut shell, aiming at the production of powder or fiber, used as raw material by the industry, generates large amounts of the green coconut shell liquid (GCSL), whose incorrect disposal results in environmental impacts. This study evaluated the potential use of GCSL as a source of potassium for young dwarf coconut plants. The experiment was carried out in pots, in a completely randomized design, applying seven treatments, comprising five doses of GCSL, which corresponded to 0% (G₀), 50% (G₅₀), 100% (G₁₀₀), 150% (G₁₅₀) and 200% (G₂₀₀) of the need for K₂O of the plants, a treatment with mineral fertilizer, corresponding to 100% of K₂O supplied as KCl (K₁₀₀), and another containing 50% of K₂O as KCl and 50% as GCSL (G₅₀ + K₅₀), with five replicates. One hundred and twenty days after transplanting the seedlings, soil chemical attributes as well as growth and nutritional status of dwarf coconut plants were evaluated. Increase in GCSL doses altered soil fertility and reduced the percentage of live leaves of dwarf coconut. The G₅₀ + K₅₀ treatment did not differ from K₁₀₀ for all variables of growth, except for % of live leaves, indicating the possibility of replacing 50% of the K₂O dose recommended for the first year of dwarf coconut cultivation with GCSL.