Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science

Fifteen soils from dominant coffee growing regions representing the red and lateritic soils of the hilly tracts of western ghats in Karnataka under hot, subhumid to humid ecoregion were selected. These land resources pertaining to the climate, topography and soils have been evaluated for coffee suitability. The soil-site suitability criteria for coffee have been proposed keeping in view the requirements of coffee and the existing soil-site conditions prevailing in the area vis-a-vis the actual yield obtained. Blossom rain, soil texture, organic matter, slope, drainage and plant available water capacity were found to be the dominant factors influencing coffee production and can be regarded as diagnostic parameters for the coffee suitability in the area. Length of growing period, temperature, elevation, soil reaction and the base status of the soils did not show much limitation for coffee in the area and can be considered as nearly optimum for coffee.