Effects of Zeolite and Chemical Fertilizer Integration on Thai Tall Coconut Productivity

Abstract

Efficient fertilizer management is essential for reducing production costs and enhancing the sustainability of coconut production. Zeolite, a natural aluminosilicate mineral characterized by its high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and nutrient retention ability, has been widely recognized as a promising soil amendment for improving fertilizer use efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zeolite combined with chemical fertilizers on the yield and yield components of 30-year-old Thai Tall coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). The experiment was conducted in a farmer's field in Bang Maphrao Subdistrict, Lang Suan District, Chumphon Province, Thailand. A randomized complete block (RCB) design with seven treatments and three replications was employed, with six plants per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of: (1) the recommended fertilizer rate of 1,200–500–1,000 g N–P2O5–K2O plant-¹ y-¹; (2) the recommended fertilizer rate plus 300 g zeolite plant-¹ y-¹; (3) the recommended fertilizer rate plus 600 g zeolite plant-¹ y-¹; (4) 900–375–750 g N–P2O5–K2O plant-¹ y-¹ plus 300 g zeolite; (5) 900–375–750 g N–P2O5–K2O plant-¹ y-¹ plus 600 g zeolite; (6) 600–250–500 g N–P2O5–K2O plant-¹ y-¹ plus 300 g zeolite; and (7) 600–250–500 g N–P2O5–K2O plant-¹ y-¹ plus 600 g zeolite. The results demonstrated that the application of the recommended fertilizer rate in combination with 600 g zeolite plant-¹ y-¹ significantly produced the highest coconut yield, reaching 2,183 fruits rai-¹ y-¹. Moreover, the application of the recommended fertilizer rate together with 300–600 g zeolite plant-¹ y-¹ consistently showed a trend toward higher yields than the application of chemical fertilizer alone. These findings indicate that integrating zeolite with chemical fertilizers can improve coconut productivity and may enhance fertilizer use efficiency, thereby contributing to more sustainable coconut production.