Influence of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) under agroforestry system

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at a farmers' field in Malagi village of Mundagod taluk in Uttara Kannada district to assess the integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) under agroforestry system. This system comprising of Coffee, Silver oak and Black pepper. Silver oak trees are planted in 2019 on which black pepper vines are trailed in 2020. In between two silver oak trees, two coffee plants are being planted in 2020. The design followed was a Randomized Complete Block Design with nine treatments and three replications. Among the nine treatments, T3 (75% RDF+Azospirillum 50 g+PSB 50 g+VAM 100 g / plant) showed the highest increment in plant height (12.59%), stem girth (42.25%), canopy diameter (65.90%) and number of primary branches (33.78%) after nine months after treatments. T3 also led to the highest fresh berry yield (3.29 kg/plant) and exhibited superior caffeine content (1.69%) and chlorogenic acid (6.49%) compared to control (T9). INM optimizes plant growth and yield by utilizing organic, inorganic and bio-fertilizers as nutrients, enhancing soil health through organic manure and promoting self-sustainability.