Coffee Festival Advisory Slide Show

Analysis of the steps to produce Healthy Coffee Plants

Advisory Services DepartmentContact: Advisory Services Manager –

Louis Campbell

( lcampbell@ciboj.org )

Healthy Coffee Tree

Coffee Beans

GREEN BEANS ROASTED BEANS

Essential Plant Nutrients

The following chemical elements are well known: Carbon - C Hydrogen - H Oxygen - O Nitrogen - N Phosphorous - P Potassium - K Sulphur - S Calcium - Ca Magnesium - Mg Iron - Fe Manganese - Mn Zinc - Zn Boron - B Molybdenum - Mo Copper - Cu

Factors Controlling the Mineral Content of Plants

The main factor is the specific genetically fixed nutrient uptake potential.

The second factor controlling the mineral content of plant material is the availability of plant nutrient in the nutrient medium.

Mineral content differ considerably between plant organs.

Factors affecting Nutrients Availability (Soil)

The nutrient fraction of the soil, which is accessible to plant roots.

Soil conditions such as pH, temperature aeration and moisture level are also important.

Root growth and extension considerably influence nutrient availability. This is bought about in two ways.

Factors affecting Nutrients Availability cont’d

(a) The root system explores the soil for nutrients. Therefore the denser and more profuse the root system the more nutrients have an opportunity to reach the roots; and

(b) Root metabolism (activity) creates a nutrient demand within the plant itself.

Antagonism

This phenomenon of antagonism must be highlighted especially in the Blue Mountains where the continual use of potassium fertilizers have caused an unavailability of magnesium to the plants on some farms. Excessive calcium especially within the limestone areas prevent other nutrients from being taken up.

Synergism

Examples of Synergism are (a) where the presence of molybdenum positively influences the uptake and utilization of nitrogen and (b) where magnesium is indispensable for the absorption of phosphorus.

Altitude

The higher grown coffee displays the best overall flavour characteristics. This is as a result of the correlation between altitude and quality which is mostly a function of how slowly the berries mature.Shade can produce the same physical and organoleptic effects. Bean size usually increases with altitude.

Movement of Nutrients through the Plant

Determining Soil & Plant Nutrient Status

Soil Sampling- Determine nutrient status- Compare results with normal values- Fertilizer recommendations- Other soil amendments

Determining Soil & Plant Nutrient Status Cont’d

Leaf Analysis

Immediately before flowering or after fruit-set a leaf analysis should be done. The results will indicate whether or not there are sufficient stored nutrients in the plant tissues to bring the crop to maturity and at the same time support the growth phase of the plant.

Methods of Application of Nutrients to Plants

There are two types of application.- Soil application: 1. Soil surface (granular)

2. Buried in root zone (granular)

3. Injected into root zone (liquid)

- Foliar: Sprayed onto leaves, stems and branches.

Appropriate Timing of Fertilizer (Foliar) Based on Crop Phenology

1st Application 45 – 22 days before main flowering (Boron & Zinc)

2nd Application 10 – 25 days before main flowering (Boron & Zinc)

3rd Application 60 – 75 days after main flowering (Calcium & Multi-nutrients)

4th Application 120 – 150 days after main flowering (Calcium-Boron-Zinc-Multi-nutrients)

Fertilizer requirements (soil) Based on Crop Phenology

1st Application 15 – 22 days after main flowering (N-P-K-Mg-S-Bo)

2nd Application 45 – 60 days after main flowering (N-P-K-Mg-S-Bo)

3rd Application 150 – 180 days after main flowering (N-P-Mg-S)

4th Application 190 – 220 days after main flowering (N-P-B)

Leaf Analysis

Immediately before flowering or after fruit-set a leaf analysis should be done. The results will indicate whether or not there are sufficient stored nutrients in the plant tissues to bring the crop to maturity and at the same time support the growth phase of the plant. It allows you to:

Make adjustments to fertilizer programme. Comparison between soil and leaf data. Confirm visual diagnosis.

COFFEE BEAN SIZING & DEVELOPMENT

The coffee bean starts to size at 14 weeks after flowering and will continue for 20 weeks. During this period we want the beans to have access to most of the photosynthates. (Not new growth of foliage). New foliage and beans will compete for photosynthates. No nitrogen blend fertilizer should be applied during this period.

The size and quality of the beans will be influenced by the amount of photosynthates that is transferred from the leaf to each berry during the time of sizing – bean development. The continuous transfer is of extreme importance and can be influenced by:- Climate- Nutrient availability – storage and uptake - Leaves – quantity and quality

PLANTING STAGE

Only good quality Typica seedlings should be planted.

FLOWERING & RAPID EXPANSION STAGE

Rapid expansion takes place in the first 14 weeks after flowering.

PULP & BEAN MATURATION Nutrients are translocated from the pulp to the beans at

this stage. The slower this process takes place, the better the bean quality.

PULP & BEAN MATURATION – (in motion)

Magnesium DeficiencyActually involved in photosynthesis as a part

of the chlorophyll molecule;

Involved in translocation of phosphates in the plant;

Aids in the formation of many plant compounds; and

Regulates the uptake of other nutrients.

Iron Deficiency Essential for chlorophyll formation; Necessary for photosynthesis; Part of plant enzyme system; Critical in the respiration process; and Necessary in protein formation.

Boron Deficiency Facilitates the transport of sugars through

Membranes; Necessary for cell division and cell development; Involves in plant utilization of Magnesium and

Phosphorous including synthesis of nucleic

acids and protein.

Calcium Deficiency Needed to form calcium pectate, which

gives strength to plant cell walls; Promote root formation and leaf

development; and Necessary for protein synthesis.

Copper Deficiency Component of essential plant enzymes; Essential to protein synthesis; Promotes beans production; Essential to chlorophyll formation

Sulfur Deficiency Essential to Amino Acid synthesis leading

to protein formation; Necessary for bean production; Influence oil content of beans; and Influence fruit set.

Zinc Deficiency

AROMA --

UNIQUELY ROBUST,

DISTINCTIVE

ACIDITY

– RICHLY LOW--TONED

SWEETNESS – DISTINCTLY

SWEET

SMOOTH CUP BODY

SUBSTANTIAL

CLEAN RESONANT

AFTERTASTE

CUP CHARACTERISTICS

Quality - The Essence of the JAMAICAN COFFEE EXPERIENCE

Conclusion

Every effort should be made by the growers of Estate coffee, to manipulate or maximize the environmental factors that impact on their farm(s), to develop a uniquely distinctive product, which cannot be duplicated and have distinctive taste characteristics specifically identified with their brand name.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION