It’s a known fact that the coffee beans are used for flavoring different products. There are two main species of this plant. The one from tropical Africa is a shrub while the other from tropical Asia is a tree. Both of them are native to these places. The seeds of some of these species are called coffee beans.
Shade-grown coffee
Shade-grown coffee is a type of coffee grown under a canopy of shade trees. It’s an agroforestry strategy that promotes biodiversity and soil health. It also acts as a carbon sink, ensuring the environment won’t suffer from global warming.
The shade-grown coffee plants receive nutrients from fallen leaves and animal feces. They are also protected from sun and frost. This helps them to thrive and grow. They produce one to two pounds of beans, depending on the species of coffee plant.
Many coffee aficionados believe shade-grown coffee has a better taste. It’s difficult to determine, however.
Other benefits of shade-grown coffee include providing habitat for local fauna, like insects and migratory birds. It is important to preserve the natural landscape, especially for native species.
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center recognizes the benefits of shade-grown coffee by designating it as a bird-friendly coffee. The Center has some of the most stringent environmental standards.
Coffee’s benefits include its ability to boost metabolism and help birds survive the winter months. It also helps them gain weight. This extra weight will fuel their arduous migrations.
Shade-grown coffee is not the only way to get a cup of coffee. Some of the world’s best coffees are not grown under shaded conditions. The modern industry has shifted focus towards shade-grown practices since 1996.
This method of farming produces a higher-quality coffee while minimizing the negative effects on the environment. In addition to producing quality beans, it can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides. It also allows farmers to earn a higher profit.
The best part is that this method of coffee production uses little to no pesticides or herbicides. It is also easier on the environment, promoting biodiversity.
Sun-grown coffee
Sun-grown coffee planting has gained popularity over the years. It is a hybrid plant that has been developed to make coffee farming more efficient. Unlike traditional methods, sun-grown coffee plants are allowed to grow without a canopy and require little care.
However, while the sun-grown coffee plants are more efficient, they can also cause serious damage to the environment. They also require more pesticides and fertilizers. The cost of these chemicals is considerable. They can affect human health as well as the surrounding ecosystem.
One of the largest areas of deforestation is in Central America, where 2.5 million acres of forest have been cleared for the cultivation of coffee. This is a major concern.
Another major concern is the loss of biodiversity in these areas. This is a serious issue for many people. For example, migratory birds return year after year to find the best plantations.
A recent study has shown that a 30% increase in bird populations is found in shaded coffee production systems compared to sun-grown coffee production systems. This is due to the fact that shaded coffee farms utilize different tree heights and types of trees.
These farms are also able to support a wider variety of insects, amphibians, and songbirds. These species help protect coffee plants from disease and pests, thus increasing yield.
In addition, these systems mimic the natural environment. The dead leaves of the shaded trees provide a natural mulch, weed control, and an organic fertilizer. This can save farmers money on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has even endorsed the use of shade-grown coffee. It has published a number of papers on the subject.
Traditional methods of planting
Coffee is grown under a variety of tree and plant species. The common ones are Acacia, Grevillea, Glricidia, and Erythrina.
The growth of coffee is regulated by the temperature and rainfall. It grows in fertile soils, mostly volcanic in nature. A large part of the world’s coffee is produced in Latin America. In particular, the central region of Veracruz State is a very important coffee zone.
To produce coffee, the trees and shrubs are grown in rows that are several feet apart. The young coffee plants vary in density, from 500 to 750 plants per acre. The plants are raked every six hours to ensure they do not develop mildew.
The traditional method of coffee planting involves placing twenty seeds in a hole. The seedlings are then planted outside at six to 12 months. The trees are planted in rows, several feet apart, and surrounded by other native forest trees and shrubs.
Traditional methods of coffee growing are low in chemical inputs, compared with the industrial production systems. It also allows for high biodiversity levels.
In addition, the coffee trees grow under a canopy of other forest trees. The canopy provides a shelter from the elements, thus preventing topsoil erosion. However, the removal of the canopy can cause significant impacts on the quality of the soil.
To avoid deterioration of coffee, it must be dried properly. The process of drying can take several days, sometimes several weeks. The best way to dry coffee is by using a drying table. This system produces a uniform drying and provides better air circulation.
Some farmers practice sun drying, which is the oldest method of processing coffee. This method is most favourable for Arabica, as it needs a dry period of two to three months. It is less labor intensive than the drying table method. It also reduces the risk of fermentation.
Diseases of the coffee plant
Coffee plant is one of the most important cash crops in Ethiopia and Africa. It provides livelihoods to millions of people. However, its production is limited by many factors, including insect pests, weeds, and soil fertility status. The coffee plant has also been reported to suffer from fungal diseases.
The coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) and smutted grains (Gibberlia xylarioides) are two other fungal pathogens associated with coffee berries. The presence of these fungi can affect the quality of the coffee berry.
Other than these, the Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) has been a major threat to the production of coffee in Ethiopia. To investigate the prevalence and severity of this disease, a study was conducted. The data was collected from three major growing regions in Borena Zone, namely, Abaya, Bule Hora, and Kercha.
The overall mean incidence of the CBD was 100%. It was reported as a disease that is of serious concern for the coffee production in most coffee-growing regions. The highest proportions of infected berries were observed in the Bule Hora and Kercha districts.
The Phoma species is an important fungal pathogen that attacks coffee berry. It is found mainly in nurseries and field plantations at higher altitudes. The species is sensitive to cold weather and requires high humidity. It grows on Oat Meal Agar and has fine conidiophores.
Besides, it produces a diffusible reddish-brown pigment. It can also attack the leaves and branches of the coffee plant. It was isolated from coffee tissues and was studied by Haramaya University. It has been reported to have caused a major die-back in the coffee plant. The other pathogens isolated from the surveyed coffee berry samples include Fusarium lateritium and Colletotrichum kahawae.
Fertilizing the coffee plant
It is important to fertilize the coffee plant for healthy growth. The nutrients it needs include nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. They are necessary for photosynthesis. It is also essential to ensure that the soil has the correct PH level.
Coffee plants should be fertilized every two months during the warm season. It is best to do this in the early part of the spring. However, you should avoid overfertilizing. It is not a good idea to use too much fertilizer as it can damage the plant.
When fertilizing, make sure that you use a balanced houseplant fertilizer. It is a good idea to mix the liquid fertilizer with water. You can also use compost. It is a rich source of macronutrients and micronutrients. It also contains biological agents that boost nutrient uptake.
The ideal soil texture is a mix of sand and silt. You can find this mixture in some commercial potting mixes. It is also beneficial to add a little humus to the soil. It is an easy way to give the coffee plant a boost during the growing season.
When you are ready to fertilize the coffee plant, you should apply it in a uniform ring around the root system. You should also keep in mind that you should not apply the fertilizer on the branches or leaves. This will help the nutrients to be distributed more evenly and prevent them from washing away.
You can also use coffee grounds as a fertilizer. They decompose slowly, but they enrich the soil with humus. You can spread them flat onto the ground or leave them in a jar.
You can check the pH level of the soil with a handheld meter or pH test paper. If the reading is too low, it could indicate a nutrient deficiency.
