INFLUENCE OF SOIL TYPE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOISTURE STRESS IN COCONUT (COCOS-NUCIFERA L) GENOTYPES

The response of three coconut genotypes namely West Coast Tall (WCT), WCT x Chowghat Orange Dwarf (COD) and COD x WCT to moisture stress on red sandyloam and laterite soils was studied. High evaporative demand in the atmosphere combined with high soil water deficit during March 1988 (stress period) affected coconut palms to different degrees on the two soil types. The palms suffered more on red sandy loam soil than on laterite soil, as shown by the stomatal regulation and leaf water potential components. Both the hybrids could withstand drought better on laterite than on sandyloam soil. A preliminary understanding of the genotype-environment interaction in coconut was thus achieved.