Fertilization of coffee: the benefits of foliar spraying with Multi-K

 

The recommended average rates of nutrients for coffee trees, and how Multi-K can improve the yield and the coffee quality

 

Variety: Arabica*.
Soil type Deep, well-drained, loamy or volcanic.
Plant population: 1200-1800 mat/Ha. (3000-4000 trees/ha).
Expected yield: 45-50 t/Ha. (1.8- 2 t/Ha clear coffee).
*Robusta coffee generally requires less nutrients than Arabica.

 
 
 

Recommended average rates of nutrients for coffee trees

 

Tree age (years)

Nutrients demand (Kg/Ha/ year)

Recommended fertilizers (Kg/Ha/ year)

N

P2O5

K2O

Ammonium nitrate

MAP

Multi-K

1

30-40

0

30-40

60-65

0

65-90 

2

60-80

0

60-80

130-170

0

130-175

3

120-160

20-30

150-200

220-280

30-50

330-450

Maturity

200-300

30-50

250-400

360-520

50-80

550-870

 
 
 
 

Phosphate should be applied from the 3rd year on, according to soil or leaf analysis.

The total rate should be split along the year as follows:

 
 

Tree Age (years)

Number of applications

N

P2O5

K2O

1

4

0

2

3

0

3

3

3

2

3

Maturity

3-4

3-4

3-4

 
 
 
 

The potassium should be applied with the 2nd and 3rd applications of nitrogen. It is particularly necessary during the period of fruit expansion and ripening.

Foliar spraying with Multi-K as a supplement to soil fertilization is the most effective way to improve potassium and nitrogen uptake by the coffee plant. This method prevents adsorption or leaching of potassium and nitrogen to the soil, and provides the plant with an accurate supply of nutrient during its critical growth periods.

 

Proper application of foliar spraying with Multi-K improves yield and coffee quality (grain size).
It is recommended that the first application should take place 12 weeks after flowering at 4% Multi-K. Two more similar applications should be made at 30 days intervals.

 
 
 

Fertilization of coffee seedlings

Pot size: 3 cm diameter and 15 cm length.
Growth medium: 150 ml/pot of (soil - 70% + manure - 30%).
Fertilizers in the growth medium:
5 Kg Super-phosphate /m3 growing mixture
1 Kg Rock-phosphate + micronutrients / m3
1 Kg KCl / m3 growing mixture

After emergence ( at a developmental stage of 2 leaves) Foliar spraying with 0.3% mixture of: 0.5 B + 2.2 Mg +7 Zn + 10 N.

 
 
 

Coffee nutrition requirements in Kenya

At production level of 1,850 kg/ha of berries, in typical Kenyan conditions.

Source: Mr. Peder Mortensen of Standard Chartered, March, 1999.

 
 

N

P2O5

K2O

Cao

MgO

S

---------------------------------------------------Kg / ha-----------------------------------------

160

50

70

80

40

20

 
 
 
 
 

Zn

B

Mn

Cu

Fe

Mo

Cl

---------------------------------------------------Kg / ha-----------------------------------------

1

0.5

Nil

Nil

Nil

0.035

N/K

 
 
 
 

Ideal nutrients ratios

At production level of 1,850 kg/ha of berries, in typical Kenyan conditions.

Source: Mr. Peder Mortensen of Standard Chartered, March, 1999.

 
 
 

N

P2O5

K2O

 

7

1

9

i.e.

160

23

206

Adjusted

160

50

70

 
 
 
 
CaO + MgO /  K2O =  5 – 10.  i.e.  4% + 2% / 1% = 6
Ca / Mg = 2
Ca / B = 200
N / S = 12
 
 
 
 

N

P

K

Ca

Mg

S

-------------------------------------- Kg/ton ------------------------------------------

35.0

3.0

41.0

     
 
 

Source: Kinoch: VOLHOUBARE LANDBOU, RSA. Processed by Frans Lourens, Haifa, RSA May, 1999.