LONG-TERM COCONUT LEAF PRUNING (CLP) EFFECTS ON CBFS: COCONUT-COFFEE AGROECOSYSTEM
Abstract
A long-term study on the response of ‘Laguna’ tall (LAGT) palms and coffee intercrop to coconut leaf pruning (CLP) was conducted at the PCA-Davao Research Center from 1993 to 2001 to determine the effect of coconut leaf pruning on the productivity of coconut + coffee cropping system.
The coconut leaf pruning technique did not significantly affect the yield and nutrition of coconut in all the years of observation. However, lower number of nut and weight of copra per tree were observed on palms with CLP than those without CLP, but with a slight improvement in copra weight per nut.
Likewise, CLP did not affect the coffee yield and leaf nutrient levels. Among the coffee varieties tested, the Excelsa had the highest green bean yield. The Robusta (Ivory Coast and Philippine strains) and Arabica had similar yield and crop nutritional status. While they had similar leaf N, K and B contents that were higher than that of Excelsa, they also had lower leaf levels of Ca, Cl and S.
Coffee needs, 1,000-3,000 foot-candles of sunlight, which is within the available light transmission (1,750-4,050 foot-candles) under palms with and without CLP. Hence, CLP is not necessary anymore in coconut with coffee intercrop.
References
Bailey, P. 1977. Effects of artificial defoliation on coconut yield in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea Agricultural Journal. 28(2/3/4):39-45.
Calvez, C. 1976. Influences on oil palm yield of pruning at different levels. Oleagineux. 31(2):57-58.
Compton’s Encyclopedia. 1973 ed. 5:427-430.
Coconut-Based Farming System – Status and Prospects. 1984. A Joint Publication of FSSRI, UPLB- College Laguna and PCA, Diliman, Quezon City. p. 147.
Cuevas, S.E. and R.P. Creencia. 1974. Coffee growing and production. Extension Circular No. 4. Department of Horticulture. UPLB, College of Agriculture. 28 pp. Mimeo.
Das Cupta, D.K. 1972. Effects of decapitulation, defoliation and removing part of the root and shoot on subsequent growth of sugar beet. J. Exp. Bot. 23(94):93-102.
De Geus, J.G. 1967. Fertilizer Guide for Tropical and Subtropical Farming Centre d’ etude de L’Azote, Zurich. p. 391. In: Coconut-Based Farming System – Status and Prospects. 1984. A Joint Publication of FSSRI, UPLB- College Laguna and PCA, Diliman, Quezon City. p. 47.
Delting, J.K. 1979. Net photosynthesis, root respiration and regrowth of Boutelova Gracilis following simulated grazing. Oecologia. 41:127-134.
De Rosayro, R.A. 2001. Unasylva- No. 89 - Diversification forestry in coffee-producing countries. Paper of the FAO Forestry and Forest Industries Division at (www.fao.org).
Dolar, S.G. 1961. The environmental factors and cultural practices affecting production of coconut. M.S. Thesis Cornel University, Ithaca, New York.
Gifford, R.M. and L.T. Evans. 1981. Photosynthesis, carbon partitioning, and yield. Annual Review. Plant Physiology 32:485-509.
Guyot, B, D Guele, J.C. Manez, J.J. Perriot,, J. Gironn and L.Villain. 1996. Influencia de la altitud y de la sombra sabre la calidad de los café’s arabica. Plantation, Recherché, Developpement. pp. 281-283.
Heichel, G.H. and N.C. Turner. 1985. Carbon dioxide assimilation of primary and regrowth foliages of old maple and red oak. Response to defoliation. Oecologia. 57:14-19.
Magat, S.S. and R.Z. Margate. 1990. The chlorine needs of coconut. CORD. 6 (1) 30-51.
Margate, R.Z., S.S. Magat, L.M. Alforja and J.A. Habana. 1979 A long-term KCl fertilization study of bearing coconuts in an inland upland area of Davao. Oleagineux. 34(5): 235-240.
J.N. Maravilla, M.N. Eroy and L.H. Canja. 1997. Growth and yield performance of four coffee varieties in coconut-based cropping system in an inland-upland area of Davao. DA-BAR National Research Symposium, Diliman, Quezon City.
Martin-Prevel, P. J. Gograid, P. Gutier. 1987. Plant analysis – as a guide to nutrient requirement of temperate and tropical crops. 722 p.
Pereira, A.S.R. 1978. Effect of leaf removal in the yield components of sunflower. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science. 26:133-144.
Perfecto, I., R. Rice, R. Greenberg and M. Van der Voort. 1996. Shade coffee: A disappearing refuge for biodiversity. Bioscience. 46(8):598-608.
Teknotulong Aklat 1. 2001. @ (www.dost.gov.ph).
The Technical Committee. 1976. The Philippine Recommends for Coffee pp. 76.
The Technical Committee . 1986. Environmental adaptation of crops. PCARRD and Soil Management Support Services, Soil Conservation Service, USDA. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. PCARRD Book Series 37. pp. 48-61.
Vieth, R. 2001. Coffee - Avocado, minor, subtropical and soils/water. Ventura Country at (www.ceventura.ucdavic.edu)
(www.geocities.com). 2001. Coffee contact – the basics.
(www.wri.org). 2000. Trouble brewing: The changing face of coffee production. Global Trends. World Resources Institute, Washington, DC. USA.
(www.seattleaudubon.org). 2002. The problem with coffee. Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign.
