Prior to 2007, many coconut farms in the Caribbean were left abandoned for several years because of negative marketing and high incidences of pests and diseases. Recently, due to increased market demand for coconut products, many farmers are desperately trying to rehabilitate their farms and or cultivating new areas.

In these efforts, they require improved varieties and knowledge of good agricultural practices and integrated pest management. Cultural practices are necessary for the coconut plant to realize its optimum potential in terms of production and productivity.

Coconut palms can grow in various environments, although certain ecological conditions limit their growth. Several agro-climatic factors affect productivity, including altitude, rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, wind, solar radiation, day length and, soil type including its physical and chemical properties.

Altitude affects coconut production and oil content: higher the elevation lower the temperature will be. Optimum altitudes are below 400m at latitudes between 30° N and 30° S but coconut plants can grow well up to an elevation of 900m at this same range of latitudes. Trees that grow at elevations above 500m produce a thin endosperm and low oil.

Rainfall distribution also plays a key role in determining coconut growth and production. Rainfall should be at least 130mm per month. Coconut palms thrive well under an evenly distributed annual rainfall ranging from 1,000mm to 3,000 mm. A suitable annual rainfall ranges from 1200 to 2500 mm. As the tree stores little moisture and has no tap roots, it is not suited for regions with long and pronounced dry spells during which the water table is considerably reduced. A water table that is too high and remains stagnant over long periods is also harmful to the palm. When rainfall drops below 1,000mm per year or distribution is uneven, coconuts can grow successfully only when irrigated.

For optimum growth and maximum yield, the mean annual temperature should be approximately 27°C with a diurnal variation of 6°C to 7°C and a relative humidity at 80 – 90%. An average ambient temperature of 27°C is good (less than 20°C and more than 34°C is not suitable). When the average monthly minimum temperature is less than 18°C, growth is reduced and female flowers abort. However, some varieties may produce satisfactorily at temperatures less than 18°C.

Regions that are subject to frequent stormy conditions and hurricanes are not suitable for growing the coconut palm. Dwarf palms are generally less resistant than the Tall to strong winds because of the former’s shallower root system. Trees are most at risk from uprooting at 3 – 5 years old, since the root system is less well-developed than the above-ground biomass.
Coconut is grown under different soil types such as loamy, lateritic, coastal sandy, alluvial, clayey and reclaimed soils of marshy lowlands. The ideal soil conditions for better growth and performance of the palm are loose well-drained soils about 50 – 100cm deep with good water holding capacity, a pH ranging of 5.2 – 8.0, presence of water table within 3m and, absence of rock or any hard substratum within 2m of the surface. Production is limited by shallow and compacted soils, heavy clays, waterlogging and drought.

Site layout, land preparation and planting are influenced by the choice of the farming system to be employed, such as monoculture, intercropping, or mixed farming. Ideally, the land should be completely cleared ensuring minimal disturbance of the topsoil layer. Compacted soils should be ploughed and rotovated to provide adequate drainage. Shallow soils with underlying hard rock, low-lying areas subject to water stagnation and clayey soils are to be avoided. Raised, cambered beds should be established in areas prone to waterlogging but movement of sub-soil unto the top of the cambered beds can provide an unsuitable chemical environment.

Field borders should be established along with fence lines, access roads, bridges, crossings, main drains, and channels, ponds or wells for irrigation and other infrastructure. Proper supply of moisture through irrigation should be ensured before planting. Also, planting should coincide with the onset of rains. The selection of the appropriate planting system is influenced by varieties, type of farming system (monocrop or intercrop), climatic and soil conditions.