Integrated Nutrient Management for Improved Coffee Production at West and Southwest Ethiopia. A Review

Abstract

Soil degradation is one of Ethiopia's most severe problems, contributing for the country's low coffee production. Many researches have been conducted by Jimma agricultural research and its sub centers to ameliorate the challenges and improve coffee productions across major coffee growing areas of the west and south western Ethiopia. The goal of this review was to summarize and document major research achievements recorded so far in integrated nutrient management on coffee and recommend future research directions. Integrated application of inorganic and organic fertilizers is the main sources for replenishing plant nutrients in agricultural soils. However, selecting the optimum combination of these resources based on soil type and crop species is necessary. In this context, field experiment was conducted at Haru and Agaro research sub center to assess the effect of decomposed coffee husk and NP Fertilizer on soil physicochemical properties and yield of coffee. Research results indicated yield of Limmu coffee increased by application of 50% recommended rate of N and P mineral fertilizer (RMF) (172 and 77 kg ha -1 NP, respectively) + 50% recommended rate of decomposed coffee husk (DCH) (10 ton ha -1 ) at Agaro. Similar trial conducted at Haru also showed that application of 50% NP + 75%DCH improved yield of Wollega coffee variety. Besides, application of Desmodium cover crop + 50% NP (172 and 63 kg ha -1 N and P, respectively) and NP mineral fertilizer ensure high coffee yield at Jimma. In conclusion, integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers was recommended for coffee production at Agaro, Haru and Jimma and their surrounding areas. Future research should concentrate on evaluating other organic inputs and combined reclamation of limemineral fertilizer-compost, frequency of application, economic benefits, and long-term effects on soil physicochemical properties, coffee yield and bean quality, and establish cost effective soil fertility management in coffee-growing areas of the country.