Effect of water stress on growth and yield of Tenera oil palm.

M.S. Gawankar; J.P. Devmore; B.M. Jamadagni; V.V. Sagvekar; H.H. Khan

ISSN: 0972-1045

Effect of water stress on growth and yield of Tenera oil palm.

Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2003, 5(1): 39-40.

Effect of water stress on growth and yield of Tenera oil palm.

M.S. Gawankar, J.P. Devmore, B.M. Jamadagni, V.V. Sagvekar and H.H. Khan

Agricultural Research Station, Mulde. Dist. Sindhudurg, Maharastra - 416 520, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2003.v05i01.10

Key words: crop yield, growth, inflorescences, leaves, oil palms, plant water relations, stems, water stress

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Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted from 1993/94 to 1998/99 in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, India to evaluate the effect of water stress on the growth and yield of Tenera oil palm [Elaeis guineensis]. Intermittent water stress (rainfed) reduced fresh fruit bunches yield by 88.46% compared with the non-stressed treatment (irrigated). Leaf production was reduced by 30% in the early growth phase and by 12.5% in the later growth phase due to water stress. Stem growth was reduced by 49.1% due to water stress. Production of male inflorescences was least affected, but female inflorescences were reduced by 86% under intermittent water stress. This resulted in more than 91% reduction in the number of fresh fruit bunches and ultimately caused 88.46% reduction in fresh fruit bunches yield.