AGRONOMY

The division of Agronomy and its units at different regional stations is actively engaged in developing suitable agro-techniques based on soil, land, water, shade and weed management aspects for increasing the productivity of various coffee varieties under different agro-climatic conditions.

SALIENT ACHIEVEMENTS

• Standardization of soil management practices for conserving the soil and moisture.
• Bush  management practices like optimum spacing , planting, design, training and pruning for achieving consistent yields.
• Irrigation management using sprinkler and drip methods for overcoming dry conditions and for assured crops through blossom and backing irrigation.
• Efficient and cost effective weed control measures.
• Shade management for optimum performance to different fertilizer doses.
• Drip irrigation during dry months from November to May was found to be beneficial in Cauvery.  Application of 4 litres of water per day for about 100 days during the dry period resulted in yield increases up to 24 percent with a cost benefit ratio of 1:1:5.  However high initial investment, regular maintenance etc. makes it unsuitable for large areas.
• Ground micro-sprinkler irrigation in robusta was on par with overhead irrigation but has the same limitations as that of drip irrigation and hence not suitable for large areas.
• A commercial bio-fertilizer 'Biophos' (containing phosphorus solubulising micro-organisms ) @ 10 kg./ha. increased yield of arabica by 39 percent with saving in phosphorus nutrient up to 30 per cent.
• Bhumilabh, an organic manure, @ 30 gms. per basket seedling of C X R and Cauvery in the nursery ha boosted their growth to the point of transplanting to the field.  "Green Plus" another commercial manure had increased the yield of  robusta  by about 200 kg. per ha. when applied @ 5 kgs. /plant/year compared to recommended doses of inorganic fertilizer.  However the yield increases was not commensurate with the cost.  This may be of use in production of organic coffee.
• Spark, a test product containing glyphosate ( post emergent systemic weedicide ) @ 1.08 kg.a.i per ha.( 2.5 liters of formulation per ha. ) was as effective as other recommended glyphosate formulation.
• Case study on organic coffee farming conducted in a private estate indicated that it is possible to cultivate arabica coffee organically without any yield reduction.

THRUST AREAS

• Economy in water requirement through micro irrigation.
• High fertilizer use efficiency through fertigation.
• Integrated use of organic chemical and bio-fertilizer towards sustainable nutrition management.
• Evolving low cost technologies.
• Developing weather forecast models for predicting out-break of pests and diseases.
• To develop agro-technique for organic coffee farming.

ON-GOING PROGRAMMES

• Development of efficient water management models in coffee.
• Promotion of organic coffee production in India.
• Crop weather modeling in coffee.
• Spacing cum topping trial in newer genotypes of arabica.
• Re-evaluation of Gramoxone in coffee.