Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research

Cultural practices and environment may affect the physical, chemical, microbiological and nutritional qualities of the raw beans. With the advent of nutritional labelling regulations (FDA, 1973), many coffee bean processors have incorporated nutrition information on their products for label declaration. The current field experiment aimed to study to know the influence of nutrient management practices, irrigation and shade pattern on nutrient status of green coffee beans and yield of robusta coffee.

This field-laboratory experiment was carried out at nine selected robusta coffee estates located at Western Ghats of India, i.e., Koppa region of Chikkamagaluru District, situated in the south western part of Karnataka State. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with 25 plants per treatment (plot size- 112 m²) with four replications. Representative coffee fruits from the experimental blocks were collected during harvesting period (February-March). After harvesting of the fruits they were wet processed to remove pulp and mucilage from the fruits. Further, they were sun dried up to 10 per cent moisture level and stored using standard methods.

The green coffee bean N and P concentration remained higher (3.1 and 0.37%) in INM mode of nutrition compared to that of exclusive organics (3.0 and 0.36%). Within organic mode of nutrition, the shade pattern and irrigation schedule imparted difference in N assimilation. The bean K content did not vary between the INM and organic nutrition modes as depicted by similar (1.8%) values. However, within organic mode of nutrition, the shade pattern and irrigation schedule imparted difference in K assimilation. The average bean yield remained higher (1230 kg ha^-1) in INM mode of nutrition compared to that of exclusive organics (1101 kg ha^-1).