Morphological variability of coconut tree (Cocos nucífera L.) cultivated in the Popular Council Mabujabo, Baracoa

Abstract

The coconut tree represents one of the best alternatives for the socioeconomic development of the Baracoa Municipality, since its climate and soils have ideal characteristics for its development. With the objective of determining the existing differences in coconut germplasm grown in Baracoa through performance descriptors, this work was carried out in the period between January 2022 and November 2023. The study was carried out in the municipality of Baracoa, in producer areas, all belonging to the Agroforestry Company and Coco Baracoa. 12 descriptors were used, three for plants and nine for fruits. A wide range of variation was observed in the morphological descriptors evaluated, a result that lays the foundation for the use of these ecotypes in genetic improvement. Furthermore, in several of the morphological descriptors evaluated, results superior to high-producing countries in Asia and Oceania were obtained, which indicates the potential of these ecotypes.