HYBRID COCONUT TREES INTERSPERSED WITH ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL CROPS, A SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

In Nayarit, coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) plantations are produced as a monoculture with a separation of 10 x 10 m between the plants and a density of 100 palms ha-1. With this population, only 25 % of the soil is effectively used by the roots. Furthermore, 5 to 7 years are required for the production to start, and therefore during this period the soil is unproductive and does not generate profits for reinvestment. For this reason, its cultivation in general is not very attractive for the producer. Based on this, the coconut palm production system described above is considered inefficient and unsustainable, while agroforestry systems with annual and perennial crops constitute a reconversion alternative. The objective of the present study was to assess the agroforestry system for hybrid coconut palms interspersed with black Jamapa beans (in autmn-winter) and citrus trees, i.e. three crops in the same time and space. Chemical fertilizers and earth worm compost were applied to optimize the resources and ensure an income until the coconut palms can begin producing. The coconut palms are about to start blooming (4 years); as for the bean crop, during three years it has yielded favorable economic returns, and the citrus trees (Persian and Mexican key lime) yielded their first fruits. We infer that agroforestry systems with annual and perennial crops and the use of earth worm compost are a sustainable reconversion alternative.