training guide on fertilizer usage and coffee nutrition train the trainer course wallenford coffee...

TRAINING GUIDE ON FERTILIZER USAGE AND COFFEE NUTRITION

TRAIN THE TRAINER COURSEWALLENFORD COFFEE COMPANY

APRIL 26, 2006PRESENTER: Louis Campbell

( lcampbell@ciboj.org )– Advisory Service Manager

W H A T I S T H E SOIL?

The soil is the uppermost part of the earth’s surface that supports plant growth.

Everything we use comes directly or indirectly from the soil, except the air that we breathe and sunlight.

WHAT DOES THE SOIL PROVIDES?

The soil provides:Root RoomAnchorageStorageFood (Nutrients)

WHAT MAKES UP THE SOIL?

The soil is composed of the following:

Sand SiltClayOrganic MatterWater InsectsFungi AirRocksBacteriaAnimals (Small)

SOIL PROFILE

Majority of feeder roots are in the upper 8-10” of the soil, therefore the amount of sand, silt or clay that is present, will influence how we manage the soil.

WHAT DOES COFFEE PLANTS NEED TO GROW?

Water Light Air – Atmosphere/soil Nutrients HOW ARE THESE RELATED?

WHAT DOES COFFEE PLANTS NEED TO GROW? CONT’D

SOLID LIQUID AIR

BALANCED DROUGHT

SOLID LIQUID AIR

WATER LOGGED.

SOLID AIR

LIQ

UID

WHAT IS SOIL FERTILITY?

The amount of plant food that is available for growth and development of plants.

It is, therefore, very important to find out the amount of plant food that is in the soil before we add more to it.

Why?We may be putting too much of one type

and not enough of others which are lacking.

FERTILIZER

A fertilizer is a concentrated source of plant nutrient which can be derived from organic or in-organic material.

Popular ones for coffee are:

15 – 5 – 3516 – 9 – 1823 –10 –20UREAAMMONIUM SULPHATEFOWL MANURE

WHAT DO FERTILIZERS PROVIDE?

N   Ca  

P PRIMARY ELEMENTS Mg SECONDARY ELEMENTS

K   S  

Fe  

Mn  

Cu TRACE ELEMENTS

Zn  

B  

Mo  

WHEN DO WE FERTILIZER?

1. After reaping

2. Before flowering

3. After fruit set

4. During reaping

WHEN DO WE FERTILIZER? CONT’D

WHY DO WE FERTILIZE?

1. To maintain good foliage2. To promote growth3. To promote flowering4. To promote root development5. To replace lost nutrients6. To repair and strengthen damaged tissues7. To enhance fruit growth and development

HOW DO WE FERTILIZE?

BROADCAST PLACEMENT

Sub-surface/Surface Drip Circle Semi Circle

FOLIAR FERTIGATION

HOW MUCH DO WE APPLY?

THE AMOUNT WE APPLY DEPENDS ON:

Nutrient status of the soil Condition of the plant Age of the plant Stage of development Targeted yield Plant population

HOW MUCH DO WE APPLY? CONT’D

For mature producing trees, the general recommendations are:

1 to 2 lbs N- P – K/ Plant per Year

8 ounces Urea/ Plant per Year

OR

1lb Amsul per Plant /Year

COFFEE TREES NEED

Adequate fertilizer to be strong and healthy;

To maintain vigorous production of new growth;

To achieve the maximum yield potential in them; and

To recover as soon as possible after harvesting and pruning operations.