Growth, and biomass and nutrient accumulation in coffee berries (Coffea arabica L.) pacas variety, Masatepe, Nicaragua

Abstract

From April to December 2012, one study was conducted in a coffee plantation where pacas variety was planted, in order to determine the growth curves, dry weight and nutrient accumulation (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) in the coffee berries. The experiment was established in 2000 at Botanic Garden or the National Center for Cooperatives (CENECCOP) Masatepe, Nicaragua. This experiment consisted in four large plots with combination of shade trees and a fifth plot in an open sun was added. The treatment were a) Inga laurina and Simaruba glauca, b) Samanea saman and Tabebuia rosea, c) Samanea saman and Inga laurina d) Tabebuia rosea and Simaruba glauca and e) a coffee plot under open sun were added. A randomized Block Design was used. The measured variables in the coffee berries were polar diameter, equatorial diameter and dry weight. The coffee berries were oven dried at 70°C and milled to obtain a thin sample using a Foss Tecator Cyclotec mill. The thin sample was sent to UNA lab to measure the percentages of N, P, K, Ca and Mg. The data were collected every 30 days. The program used was Statistical Analysis System (SAS vs 9.1). A correlation between polar and equatorial diameter was run given one r of 98% (Pr>F= 0.0001). The curves of growth and dry weight accumulation were adjusted using single and double exponential non-linear regressions. The dry weight accumulation curve was adjusted using a normal Probity model. The highest coffee berry growth occurred during the first 90 days and the nutrient accumulation was from 90 to 210 days. The dry weight accumulation was low during the first three months and increased slowly later on. The coffee berries under leguminous trees showed the highest growth. Also the dry matter accumulation in the fruit was the highest in the leguminous trees.

Revista Científica Vol. 15. Nº 24, p. 6-12 mayo 2015