Relationship between Canopy Sizes and Shapes and the Productivity and Yield of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Varieties in Nigeria

Coconut varieties typically exhibit different crown canopy shapes and sizes. Three canopy shapes were identified in the coconut hybrid seed garden of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City, Nigeria. The crown canopy size and shape could influence the photosynthetic efficiency of a crop, hence its productivity and yield. Given the differential productivity and nut yield of the varieties, we attempted to establish the relationship between crown canopy size and shape to the productivity of the different coconut varieties. Coconut seed nut yield records from the coconut hybrid seed garden was related to the crown canopy shape and sizes of the varieties. About 59% of each class of tall and 83.70% to 89.19% of the dwarf palms produced matured fruits during the period of observation. The least mean nut yield was found among coconut with vertical canopy shape of every coconut varieties considered, while the highest mean nut yield was found in the semi spherical canopy shape of all the coconut varieties evaluated, except in the yellow dwarf. The result indicates that although there is no statistical difference in the yield of the various canopy shapes, the semi spherical canopy seem to produce more nuts than coconut with other canopy shapes. In all cases the Tall coconut were more susceptible to lethal yellowing infection.