Effect of balanced nutrition and nitrogen form on coffee productivity, bean quality and the environment -Experiences with Robusta in Vietnam- 12th African Fine Coffee Conference & Exhibition Nairobi, February 12th 14th 2015 Dr. Jürgen Küsters & Huong Lan Nguyen Yara International ASA
Content of presentation Traditional field practices in coffee in Vietnam Improvements of fertilization practices in coffee in VN Conclusions for coffee production in Africa
Current situation in Vietnam 2nd largest coffee producer and no.1 exporter of Robusta coffee in the world Highly weathered tropical soils, acid, low in basic cations Intensive production with high yields (avg. > 2 t beans/ha) Predicted decline in yield and quality because of aging trees and improper field practices Old trees and poor management No or too little selective picking Unbalanced nutrition Too much N, S No application of Mg, Ca and Micronutrients Wrong form of N fertilizers (Urea, Ammonium Sulfate) further acidifying soils
Traditional practice in Vietnam is often based on Urea and Ammonium sulfate (AS) Use of Urea and AS increase soils acidification. The release of H + ions increases the acidity of the soil. H + Urea AS NH 4 + NO 3 - NO - 3 Ammonium Nitrate
Soil ph and nutrient availability Soil ph in H2O Soil ph below the optimum: => reduced nutrient availability => risk of Al toxicity ph of many Vietnamese soils Adequate for coffee
Content of presentation Traditional field practices in coffee in Vietnam Improvements of fertilization practices in coffee in VN Conclusions for coffee production in Africa
Possible improvements in coffee nutrition Apply concept of Balanced Nutrition Choice of other N fertilizer than Urea or Ammonium Sulfate => less soil acidification Apply nutrients at the right rate (according to demand) => higher nutrient use efficiency Apply all required nutrients (macro- and micronutrients) => better yield and quality
Balanced nutrition contributes to different aspects of coffee production Tree longevity Maintain productivity of older trees Alternate bearing Less yield fluctuation Quality Better taste Bigger beans Yield Improve farmer profit Health Disease resistance Soil fertility Maintain optimum ph, CEC and OM Balanced Nutrition Environment Carbon footprint water footprint acidification
Traditional practice versus Balanced nutrition - Experiences from 50 trials with Robusta in Vietnam Two plots on each of the farmer s field 120 trees with traditional fertilization - Urea - NPK based on AS 120 trees with balanced fertilization - YaraMila NPK+Mg+TE - YaraLiva Calcium Nitrate
Nutrient application rates in the traditional and balanced fertilizer program kg/ha (Macronutrients) 100g/ha (B, Mn, Zn) 100% Ammonium-N 60% Nitrate-N 40% Ammonium-N
Results of traditional and balanced programs Demonstration trials with Robusta coffee in Vietnam 2010-2013 Category Traditional Balanced Difference (Balanced vs. Traditional) Yield (tons green bean/ha) Bean weight (g of 200 beans) Farmer Profit (USD/ha) Carbon footprint (kgco2eq/ton green bean) 3.27 3.63 +11% 74.6 83.5 +12% 3360 3906 +16% 1845 846-54%
Content of presentation Traditional field practices in coffee in Vietnam Improvements of fertilization practices in coffee in VN Conclusions for coffee production in Africa
N fertilizer inputs and yield achievements in Vietnam compared to Eastern Africa N fertilizer rate 3.63 t green bean/ha N uptake of trees for 1 t green bean (~130 kg N/ha): 0.3 t green bean/ha (avg. of 50 trials) (country average) Source: Results from trials, Elzebrock & Wind, 2008; Arzolla et al., 1963; Hart, 1969; Cannel & Kimeu, 1971; Catani & Moraes, 1958; Malavolta, 1990; v.d. Vossen, 2005; Wilson, 1985; Ramiah, 1987; Snoeck & Duceau, 1978
Balanced nutrition: Coffee needs more than only Nitrogen Arabica - India Yield (kg/ha) Yield (kg/ha) without P, K with 90 kg P2O5, 160 kg K2O N fertilizer rate (kg N/ha) N fertilizer rate (kg N/ha) REF: Stalin et al. 1997
In tree crops it takes time before changes in fertilization become visible - Example: N fertilizer trial with Citrus in Brazil Accumulated Fruit Yield, t ha -1 Calcium Nitrate 83 t/ha (+18%) Ammonium Nitrate Year REF: Trial conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP)
Recommended improvements in coffee nutrition in Eastern Africa Apply improved balanced nutrition concepts Recycling of nutrients in available organic material Stepwise increase of mineral fertilizer rates All nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn) Soil and/or leaf analysis Reduce/avoid application of ammonium based fertilizers (Urea, AS, DAP) Apply the nutrients regularly (every year)
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