PRELIMINARY STUDIES IN WESTERN SAMOA USING VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COCONUT PALM (COCOS NUCIFERA L.) AS GROWING MEDIA

The problems of coral soils and methods of soil improvement are discussed.
The use of hydroponic techniques is seen as the most promising method for future vegetable production in many parts of the Pacific Region.
Simple soilless culture methods are described which can be operated by individual families.
These are raised bed and enclosed unit systems which use various parts of the coconut palm as media : the coconut husk, fibre from the husk, wood chips from the trunk and dried fronds.
Good crops of bush beans and lettuce have been successfully raised using the enclosed unit coconut fibre system.
Research is continuing.

I Symposium on Artificial Media in Horticulture

S.G. Reynolds

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1974.37.9