TRAINING GUIDE ON FERTILIZER USAGE AND COFFEE NUTRITION TRAIN THE TRAINER COURSE WALLENFORD COFFEE COMPANY APRIL 26, 2006 PRESENTER: Louis Campbell ( )– Advisory Service

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 Room  Anchorage  Storage  Food (Nutrients)

WHAT MAKES UP THE SOIL? The soil is composed of the following: Sand Silt Clay Organic Matter Water Insects Fungi Air Rocks Bacteria Animals (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

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 – – 9 – –10 –20 UREA AMMONIUM SULPHATE FOWL MANURE

WHAT DO FERTILIZERS PROVIDE? N Ca PPRIMARY ELEMENTSMgMg 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 foliage 2.To promote growth 3.To promote flowering 4.To promote root development 5.To replace lost nutrients 6.To repair and strengthen damaged tissues 7.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.