AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY AND SOIL SCIENCE
Fertilizers and manures are the crucial inputs in the
modern system of coffee cultivation. Scientific use of fertilizers assumes
vital importance for sustainable coffee cultivation. The agricultural and
soil science aspects of coffee cultivation forms the mandate of the
faculty. Both academic and applied research in this direction are being
carried out. Trials on fertilizers, manures and micro-nutrients are being
conducted. Routine soil, leaf and agro-chemical analysis for the purpose
of advisory to the growers also form a part of the programme.
Interdisciplinary research is the recent trend undertaken by the division.
SALIENT ACHIEVEMENTS
- Optimum doses of fertilizers standardized based on
the soil analysis, leaf analysis and crop removal.
- Leaf sampling techniques standardized.
- Source of nutrient specific to soil conditions
determined.
- Foliar spray of nutrients in the regular fertilizer
programme recommended.
- Soil fertility survey of different regions indexed
with respect to both major and micro nutrients.
- Remedial measures for micro nutrient deficiency
suggested.
- Role of citric acid in increasing availability of
phosphorus in the soil studied.
THRUST AREAS
- Development of Diagnostic Recommendation Integrated
System norms for arabica coffee.
- Preparation of soil fertility map of various coffee
growing zones.
- Survey and mapping of micro-nutrient status of
different coffee growing tracts.
- Studies on the significance of Sulphur nutrition in
coffee.
ON-GOING PROGRAMMES
- Soil and leaf testing projects.
- Development of sex pheromone system for the
integrated management of white stem borer.
- Trials on the fertilizer and proprietary
formulations and agricultural chemistry aspects.
