Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer application on coffee (coffee arabica l.) yield and quality at Lunyangwa research station in Malawi.

Abstract

Coffee production in Malawi has declined due to low external inputs. A study on effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers application on coffee yield and quality was conducted at Lunyangwa research station in 2019/20 season. The objectives of the experiment were: 1) to determine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer combinations on coffee on yield and quality; 2) determine the relationships of yield and yield components and 3) To identify the rewarding treatment application on revenue. The treatments consisted of 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% rates of inorganic fertilizers and 100%, 25%, 50% and 75% organic fertilizers giving various combinations. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The gross plot size was 10m by 7.5m with 16 coffee plants per plot and the net plot was 4.5m by 2m with 9 coffee plants per plot and one coffee plant as a border plant. Catimor 129 was the variety used in the experiment. The growth parameters and yield were collected for analysis. The yield and yield components data were subjected to Analysis of Variance at 5% level of significance using GenStat. The results for 2019/20 season showed significant differences in plant height (p=<0.001), stem girth (p=<0.001), number of primary branches (p=<0.001), bearing branches (p=0.011), canopy radius (p=<0.001) and yield/ha (p=<0.001. There were no significant differences on coffee quality. Plant heights and canopy radius showed significant relationships with yield and can be used to predict yield under organic and inorganic fertilizer application on coffee with adjusted R-Square 0.1850. The economic analysis of treatment combinations showed 50% + 50% in-organic fertilizer as a low-cost alternative technology for resource constrained farmers. The experiment results recommend a combination of 50% organic fertilizer and 50% in-organic fertilizer an alternative suitable technology for sustainable coffee production in Malawi.