SAP YIELD VARIATION OF Caryota urenus

Abstract

Caryota urenus is know as kitul palm (Wine palm). It belongs to the family Palmaceae and plays an important role in the village economy of Sri Lanka. The most important non-wood forest product of kitul palm is the sap. The sap yields were estimated for more than 200 tappers in Matara district. This was organized with school teachers and students. The yield varied from 472.5 ml to 16,500 ml per day per palm. Two common kitul types were recognised. They are the tall type having straight and cylindrical trunks and identified as "Perimi kitul" and the Barrall type having a greater diameter in the upper trunk than at ground level and called " Gahanu kitul". The barrall type of kitul recorded higher yields than the tall kitul type.

The shape of the inflorescence can be categorized into two major types, elongate and compact. The compact type produced more sap yield than the elongate type. The sap yield variation during the period of day and night was further examined. Night yield was measured in the early morning and the Day yield late evening. Significant yield differences were observed during day and night collecting. More yield was recorded for the night collection.