PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Organized research to understand the basic and applied aspects of coffee physiology was initiated during 1963 by establishing the division of Plant Physiology at the institute.  The environmental factors such as light, water, temperature, type of soil and nutrient status affect the growth of coffee and its productivity. Under south Indian conditions, the major physiological factors limiting the productivity are vegetative growth, flowering, berry drop, ripening, drought, light ( shade ) and carbon exchange rate ( photosynthetic efficiency ). Early and better establishment of young coffee is also very essential in achieving desired growth in coffee.  The faculty is engaged in better understanding of these physiological aspects to achieve the best annual efficient yield.

SALIENT ACHIEVEMENTS

• Foliar application of mepiquat chloride @ 1000 ppm twice during August and september enhances the yield of arabica coffee by increasing flower induction per node as well as the number of cropping nodes.

• Foliar application of plant growth regulators such as Planofix ( 0.025% ) Harmonal (0.025 % ) etc increases crop yield significantly.  The cost benefit ratio will be more than 1:4 depending on the formulation used.

• Application of Biozyme granules @ 10 gms / plant along with NPK fertilizers during pre/post monsoon period increases the crop yield of both arabica and robusta.

• Sucker production in collar pruned robustas increased by spray of Indole Acitic Acid ( 200 ppm ) in combination with 1% Dimethyl Sulphoxide.

• Drought tolerance in robusta coffee induced by foliar application of a nutrient mixture comprising Urea ( 0.5 % ), SSP ( 0.5% ), MOP ( 0.5% ) and Zinc sulphate ( 0.5% ) during January and February.  The cost benefit ratio was 1:3.

• A simple technique for timing the irrigation in robusta coffee evolved using cobalt chloride disc ( CCPD ).

• Physiologically efficient genotypes measured in terms of carbon exchannged rates and physiological water use efficiency identified.

• Young cauvery plants in the field established better under sub soil irrigation @ 2 litres per plant during summer months.

• Foliar application of NPK + Zinc or cattle urine ( 20 % ) helps in reducing drought affect in young coffee under field conditions.

• Planting of  shorter dadap stakes of 1.5 ft. to 3 ft. followed by application of hormonal solution after planting results in its better establishments.

ON-GOING PROGRAMMES

• Effect of single super phosphate on flower bud induction and crop yield of arabica coffee.

• Effect of Mequat-CCC on flower bud production and crop yield of arabica coffee.

• Effect of "Coffee Care" on growth, yield contributing characters and productivity of arabica coffee.

• Studies on bio mass production.

THRUST AREAS

• Identification of root stock with desired traits for drought tolerance.

• Manipulation of plants for maximising productivity by using drought ameliorative measures.

• Curtailing biennial bearing in coffee.

• Identification of highly physiologically efficient cultivars.

• Hormonal manipulation to increase the crop production.