Water is an absolutely necessary factor for planting coconuts. A grown coconut tree needs about 40-60 litres and a plant needs about 10-15 litres per day. Based on the annual rain fall the coconut yield fluctuates. Conservation of wetness is important to conserve water during the dry season in order to obtain higher yield.

For coconut cultivation preservation of wetness is done in many ways. As indicated earlier, through preservation following could be achieved:

1. Holding water
2. Reducing flow of water
3. Protection from soil erosion

Methods of preservation of wetness

1.Covering the circle of fertilizer

In this method from the base of the tree an area of one foot is left and a circular area of six feet
radius is covered with straw, coconut fronds, coconut husks, etc.

2. Burying coconut husks and coconut fiber

The importance of adding coconut husks is that husks could absorb water six times of its weight. In this
sequence water absorbed in rainy season will get released to the soil later. Burying of husks must be
carried out at the beginning of the rainy season. Coconut fiber could be used at the pits of coconut
husks.

Results of coconut husks will run for a period of 5 to 6 years. There are a few main methods of burying

✔️ Having a pit between two coconut trees
✔️ Having a pit for each coconut tree
✔️ Having circular pits beyond the fertilizer circle
✔️ Having trenches between coconut tree lines and burying husks

3.Contoured Drains

This method is used to conserve the topsoil in coconut plantations situated on slopes. I addition
following too could be used to preserve water:
✔️ Contoured Ridges
✔️ Bio ridges
✔️ Preparation of terraces

4.Covered Plantations

Covered plantation is done in large scale lands for preservation of water. For this both creeper/vine
plants and bush plants could be used.

✔️ Piyureriya
✔️ Calapogeniyum
✔️ Centroseema
✔️ Siraatro

Bush plants

✔️ Glydisiriya

Water Supply

Non-availability of required water directly affects the harvest. When the water supply is either hindered or low following shall take place:

• Reduction in number of coconuts
• Size becomes low
• Extinction of trees
• Reduction in having female flowers
• Falling of immature nuts

Requirement of water for a coconut tree vary on following:

• Environmental Factors
• Age of the tree
• Soil Factors

Systems of water supply

• Using pots
• Using Drains
• Water Spray
• Supply through hose
• Drip System