Assessment of Sap Production Parameters From Spathes of Four Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Cultivars in Côte d’Ivoire

<p>Several palm plants have social and economic roles worldwide by providing drinks from their sap. In Côte d’Ivoire, management of the coconut sap is not yet practiced. In this study, parameters related to production of sap have been assessed from four coconut cultivars namely PB 113⁺ and PB 121⁺ hybrids and WAT and MYD varieties. From all the unopened inflorescences (spathes) studied into the coconut crown, whose ranks varied from 7 to 9, that of rank 8 yielded the highest volume of sap. From this spathe, the PB113⁺ hybrid provided the best yield of sap (61.81 ± 20.41 l). Most important proportion of that sap volume was recorded at the morning harvesting. The sap production duration of a spathe varied from 24 ± 1.87 days (MYD) to 46.78 ± 1.86 days (PB 113⁺). That duration depended on the length of spathes and regular sap flow allowed by them. Furthermore, the PB 113⁺ had the highest number of fruits (NBF = 174.33 ± 78.45 fruits). The results showed that volume of sap available is closely related to the length of production (r = 0.78) and the cultivar’s nut yield (r = 0.82). The use of PB 113⁺ hybrid which provided highest quantity of sap is recommended for promoting the production of coconut sap in Côte d’Ivoire in order to improve the benefits derived from this plant.</p>