Coffee Festival Advisory Slide Show
Analysis of the steps to produce
Healthy Coffee Plants
Advisory Services Department
Contact: Advisory Services Manager –
Louis Campbell
( lcampbell@ciboj.org )
Healthy Coffee Tree
Coffee Beans
GREEN BEANS
ROASTED BEANS
Essential Plant Nutrients
The following chemical elements are well known:
 Carbon
C
 Hydrogen
H
 Oxygen
O
 Nitrogen
N
 Phosphorous
P
 Potassium
K
 Sulphur
S
 Calcium
Ca
 Magnesium
Mg
 Iron
Fe
 Manganese
Mn
 Zinc
Zn
 Boron
B
 Molybdenum
Mo
 Copper
Cu
Factors Controlling the Mineral
Content of Plants
The main factor is the specific genetically
fixed nutrient uptake potential.
 The second factor controlling the mineral
content of plant material is the availability
of plant nutrient in the nutrient medium.
 Mineral content differ considerably
between plant organs.

Factors affecting Nutrients
Availability (Soil)
The nutrient fraction of the soil, which is
accessible to plant roots.
 Soil conditions such as pH, temperature
aeration and moisture level are also
important.
 Root growth and extension considerably
influence nutrient availability. This is
bought about in two ways.

Factors affecting Nutrients
Availability cont’d
(a) The root system explores the soil for
nutrients. Therefore the denser and
more profuse the root system the more
nutrients have an opportunity to reach
the roots; and
 (b) Root metabolism (activity) creates a
nutrient demand within the plant itself.

Antagonism
This phenomenon of antagonism must be
highlighted especially in the Blue
Mountains where the continual use of
potassium fertilizers have caused an
unavailability of magnesium to the plants
on some farms. Excessive calcium
especially within the limestone areas
prevent other nutrients from being taken
up.
Synergism
Examples of Synergism are (a) where the
presence of molybdenum positively
influences the uptake and utilization of
nitrogen and (b) where magnesium is
indispensable for the absorption of
phosphorus.
Altitude
The higher grown coffee displays the best
overall flavour characteristics. This is as
a result of the correlation between
altitude and quality which is mostly a
function of how slowly the berries
mature.Shade can produce the same
physical and organoleptic effects. Bean
size usually increases with altitude.
Movement of Nutrients through
the Plant
Determining Soil & Plant Nutrient
Status
Soil Sampling
- Determine nutrient status
- Compare results with normal values
- Fertilizer recommendations
- Other soil amendments
Determining Soil & Plant Nutrient
Status Cont’d
Leaf Analysis
Immediately before flowering or after fruitset a leaf analysis should be done. The
results will indicate whether or not there
are sufficient stored nutrients in the plant
tissues to bring the crop to maturity and
at the same time support the growth
phase of the plant.
Methods of Application of Nutrients
to Plants
There are two types of application.
- Soil application: 1.
Soil surface (granular)
2.
Buried in root zone (granular)
3.
Injected into root zone (liquid)

-
Foliar: Sprayed onto leaves, stems and branches.
Appropriate Timing of Fertilizer
(Foliar) Based on Crop Phenology
1st Application 45 – 22 days before main
flowering (Boron & Zinc)
2nd Application 10 – 25 days before main
flowering (Boron & Zinc)
3rd Application 60 – 75 days after main
flowering (Calcium & Multi-nutrients)
4th Application 120 – 150 days after main
flowering (Calcium-Boron-Zinc-Multinutrients)
Fertilizer requirements (soil)
Based on Crop Phenology
1st Application 15 – 22 days after main
flowering (N-P-K-Mg-S-Bo)
 2nd Application 45 – 60 days after main
flowering (N-P-K-Mg-S-Bo)
 3rd Application 150 – 180 days after main
flowering (N-P-Mg-S)
 4th Application 190 – 220 days after main
flowering (N-P-B)

Leaf Analysis

Immediately before flowering or after fruit-set a
leaf analysis should be done. The results will
indicate whether or not there are sufficient
stored nutrients in the plant tissues to bring the
crop to maturity and at the same time support
the growth phase of the plant. It allows you to:
 Make adjustments to fertilizer programme.
 Comparison between soil and leaf data.
 Confirm visual diagnosis.
COFFEE BEAN SIZING &
DEVELOPMENT

The coffee bean starts to size at 14 weeks after
flowering and will continue for 20 weeks. During this
period we want the beans to have access to most of the
photosynthates. (Not new growth of foliage). New
foliage and beans will compete for photosynthates. No
nitrogen blend fertilizer should be applied during this
period.
 The size and quality of the beans will be influenced by
the amount of photosynthates that is transferred from the
leaf to each berry during the time of sizing – bean
development. The continuous transfer is of extreme
importance and can be influenced by:
Climate
Nutrient availability – storage and uptake
Leaves – quantity and quality
PLANTING STAGE
Only good quality Typica seedlings should be planted.
FLOWERING & RAPID
EXPANSION STAGE
Rapid expansion
takes place in the
first 14 weeks after
flowering.
PULP & BEAN MATURATION

Nutrients are translocated from the pulp to the beans at
this stage. The slower this process takes place, the
better the bean quality.
PULP & BEAN MATURATION –
(in motion)
Magnesium Deficiency
Actually involved in photosynthesis as a part
of the chlorophyll molecule;
Involved in translocation of phosphates in the
plant;
Aids in the formation of many plant
compounds; and
Regulates the uptake of other nutrients.
Iron Deficiency





Essential for chlorophyll formation;
Necessary for photosynthesis;
Part of plant enzyme system;
Critical in the respiration process; and
Necessary in protein formation.
Boron Deficiency



Facilitates the transport of sugars through
Membranes;
Necessary for cell division and cell development;
Involves in plant utilization of Magnesium and
Phosphorous including synthesis of nucleic
acids and protein.
Calcium Deficiency



Needed to form calcium pectate, which
gives strength to plant cell walls;
Promote root formation and leaf
development; and
Necessary for protein synthesis.
Copper Deficiency




Component of essential plant enzymes;
Essential to protein synthesis;
Promotes beans production;
Essential to chlorophyll formation
Sulfur Deficiency




Essential to Amino Acid synthesis leading
to protein formation;
Necessary for bean production;
Influence oil content of beans; and
Influence fruit set.
Zinc Deficiency
Quality - The Essence of the
JAMAICAN COFFEE EXPERIENCE
CUP CHARACTERISTICS
SWEETNESS
ACIDITY
– RICHLY
LOW-TONED
– DISTINCTLY
SWEET
SMOOTH
CUP
BODY
SUBSTANTIAL
AROMA --
CLEAN
UNIQUELY
ROBUST,
DISTINCTIVE
RESONANT
AFTERTASTE
Conclusion
Every effort should be made by the
growers of Estate coffee, to manipulate
or maximize the environmental factors
that impact on their farm(s), to develop a
uniquely distinctive product, which
cannot be duplicated and have
distinctive taste characteristics
specifically identified with their brand
name.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND
ATTENTION