ISHS Acta Horticulturae 153: IX African Symposium on Horticultural Crops
EFFECTS OF INORGANIC FERTILISERS ON COFFEE YIELDS AND QUALITY IN KENYA |
| Author: | J.M. Njoroge |
| Abstract:
Investigations into the effects of N-only fertilisers, compound fertilisers and ameliorative treatments based on soil analysis, on coffee yield and quality were conducted for twelve and fifteen years at different ecological zones of eastern (Mariene) and western (Koru) Kenya. There was a positive clean coffee yield response to N fertiliser applications which was significant at Mariene. At Mariene it appeared that a more balanced nutrient application of NPK or a recommendation based on soil analysis results could be most beneficial. At Koru, however, the application of straight N fertiliser and probably alternating with a compound fertiliser based on soil analysis results may be appropriate. Fertiliser applications based on soil analysis gave the best results at both sites. The proportion of grade 'A' beans was apparently increased by fertiliser applications at Mariene, but failed to reach significance. The fertiliser treatments at Koru did not influence the proportion of the grade 'A' beans. A general inverse relationship between clean coffee yield and the percentage of grade 'A' sized beans was observed. | |
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