Density and fertilizer requirements of the compact and disease resistant arabica coffee.

Abstract

Sixteen NPK fertilizer combinations and 6 coffee planting densities were tried in Kenya between 1981 and 1988 using the compact and disease resistant Catimor. Yield differences due to fertilizer treatments were not significant. However, yields of over 2 t/ha were obtained from NP or NPK combinations. Yield increased linearly with the planting density but peaked at 5128 trees/ha. The results are discussed. It is concluded that while the fertilizer requirements for the compact cultivar are not different from the traditional tall types the optimal density is about 5128 trees/ha. From authors' summary.