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Review
. 2022 Nov 29;11(23):3293.
doi: 10.3390/plants11233293.

Fruit Biology of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Fernanda Caro Beveridge  1 , Sundaravelpandian Kalaipandian  1 , Chongxi Yang  1 , Steve W Adkins  1
Affiliations
Review

Fruit Biology of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Fernanda Caro Beveridge et al. Plants (Basel). .

Abstract

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is an important perennial crop adapted to a wide range of habitats. Although global coconut demand has increased sharply over the past few years, its production has been decreasing due to palm senility, as well as abiotic and biotic stresses. In fact, replanting efforts are impeded due to the lack of good quality seedlings. In vitro technologies have a great potential; however, their applications may take time to reach a commercial level. Therefore, traditional seed propagation is still critical to help meet the rising demand and its practice needs to be improved. To achieve an improved propagation via seeds, it is important to understand coconut fruit biology and its related issues. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the existing knowledge on coconut fruit morpho-anatomy, germination biology, seed dispersal, distribution, fruit longevity and storage. This will help to identify gaps where future research efforts should be directed to improve traditional seed propagation.

Keywords: coconut; germination; palms; propagation; seed.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Coconut fruit morphology. (a) Whole coconut fruit with the outermost layer visible corresponding to the exocarp (ex); (b) a de-husked coconut fruit (exocarp and mesocarp removed), the three coconut eyes (including the germination pore [gp]) can be seen in the endocarp (en) as three dark brown circles; (c) coconut cut in half, displaying the inner fruit layer (endocarp [en]), the seed coat (testa [sc]) and endosperm (ed).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Fruit morphology diversity in different varieties of coconut. Reprinted from Bourdeix Roland, Konan Jean Louis, N’Cho Yavo Pierre. 2005. Coconut. A guide to traditional and improved varieties. Montpellier: Diversiflora, 104 p. (Catalys) ISBN 2-9525408-1-0 [34]. Reprinted with permission.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Differences in morphology of (a) wild and (b) domesticated coconut fruit. Domesticated varieties show a smaller pericarp region, having significantly less mesocarp as compared to wild types. They also have a rounder shape which allows a higher volume of water to be held inside the seed.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Coconut germination stages: (a) Ungerminated coconut fruit. Embryo (em) consists of a short plumular-radicular axis. The plumule consists of a central meristematic zone enclosed by scaly-leaf primordia, which are then surrounded by the cotyledonary petiole. (b) In the proximal end of the embryo, the cotyledonary petiole (cp) extends through the germination pore (gp). (c) Germinative button formation and radicle emergence (ra) from the cotyledonary petiole. The cotyledonary blade (distal end of the embryo) starts expanding to form a haustorium (ha). (d) Radicle elongation, plumule emergence and continuous haustorium growth. (e) Secondary roots forming, plumule elongation and first leaves, extensive haustorium growth. (f) Secondary root (sr) growth, leaf growth, haustorium completely fills the inner cavity (endosperm).
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) Cotyledonary petiole protruding through the endocarp: arrow shows the displacement of the soft eye; (b) cotyledonary petiole protruding through the endocarp; (c) radicle emerging from the cotyledonary petiole; (d) radicle elongation and emergence of the plumule. cp: cotyledonary petiole; ra: radicle; pl: plumule.
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References

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