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Measuring Light Interception and the Efficiency of Light Utilization by the Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

J. R. J. Moss
J. R. J. Moss
Affiliation:
Chumphon Horticultural Research Centre, Sawi, Chumphon Province, Thailand
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Summary

A mobile sampling method was used to measure the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmitted through the canopies of coconut palms in two long term field trials. PAR transmissions were measured at approximately monthly intervals for one year. Fractional interception of light was found to vary considerably between months, and to be associated with frond shedding caused by dry season water stress. Palms receiving potassium fertilizer intercepted more light and replaced leaf area lost during the dry season more rapidly than those receiving no potassium. Palms planted at a higher density intercepted more light and carried more fronds per palm, but intercepted less light per frond than those planted at a lower density. The ratio of moles of carbohydrate yield to moles of intercepted PAR quanta was calculated for six plots of hybrid palms, giving a dimensionless light efficiency index (LEI) comparable to harvest index. Mean LEI for all plots was 1.275 × 10−4 and was found to increase with increased light interception, results suggesting that there is a basal level of light interception below which no yield is produced. The potential for using LEI in agronomic experimentation on sole cropping and multicropping and as a criterion for genetic selection of coconut palms is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 28 , Issue 3 , July 1992 , pp. 273 - 285
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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