Cropping systems in coffee (Coffea arabica L.), and its effect on soil fertility and yield of green coffee beans, Masatepe, Masaya

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the influence of three different coffee systems management on physical, chemical and biological soil fertility in Masatepe, Masaya, Nicaragua from July 2009 to January 2010. Treatment one (intensive organic) were two legume shadow species, Inga lauringa (Sw.) Willd (guaba) and Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merrill (genizaro), plus 2.27 kilograms (9 080 kg ha^-1) coffee pulp per plant plus same amount of chicken manure. Treatment two (extensive organic was 2.27 kilograms coffee pulp per plant and same shadow species and the third treatment (extensive conventional) was full sun exposure with 17 grams per plants (68 kg ha^-1) of fertilizer 27-9-18 in June, 35 grams (140 kg ha^-1) of fertilizer 12-30-10 in September and 20 grams (80 kg ha^-1) of urea + 5 grams (20 kg ha^-1) of KCl In October per plant. A unifactorial arrangement with a completely random blocks design was used. Variables were organic matter, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, porosity, and water retention and macro fauna diversity. Soil samples were taken in July 2009 and January 2010, result was analyzed for least significant difference (LSD) and data from macro fauna were analyzed trough the Shannon-Wiener index. Statistical packages used were Professional InfoStat and Past version 1.29, the last one for soil biodiversity analysis. There were no significant differences for physical and chemical soil fertility but a tendency to reduction was observed in conventionally managed systems. The biggest diversity of macrofauna was observed in organically managed systems. Coffee green bean yield was variable, extensive conventional system was statistically higher in the first agricultural cycle with a yield of 305 kg ha^-1. There were no significant differences in the rest of periods, but there was a similar pattern on intensive organic systems compared with extensive conventional system.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v12i18.1122

Revista Científica Vol. 12. Nº 18, p. 29-36 / junio 2012