RSUP (Riau Sakti United Plantations), Sumatra, mission report, 10th to 21th February 2003

Regarding mineral nutrition, two major points stand out from the latest experimental results: - Sodium chloride is highly effective as a substitute for potassium chloride on mature coconut palms. - Coconut husk ash is a highly effective fertilizer on immature coconut palms. In terms of cultural techniques in the commercial plantation, we confirm the dual advantage of cocout husk ash: conversion of an element that attracts Sufetula in plots into an effective fertilizer. We now need to develop a coconut ash production system for a plot of 50 ha, prior to its generalization. For replanting, nut collection to set up a WAT parent field has begun. We also envisage drawing up as early as next year a fertilizer shedule for young coconut replantings using PB 121 planting material, which will be produced for that purpose