Relationship between Coffee Leaf Analysis and Soil Chemical Analysis

Abstract

Research focused on adequate nutrition of plants is essential in modern coffee production to increase yield and develop more efficient management strategies with greater environmental and economic sustainability. The objectives of this study were to establish critical and optimal levels of soil fertility properties for high yielding Arabica coffee crops using the Boundary Line method and, then, relate the macronutrient contents in the diagnostic leaf of coffee to the macronutrients available in the soil using the Quadrant Diagram of the Plant-Soil Relationship (QDpsR). The study made use of a soil chemical analysis database, leaf macronutrient contents, and Arabica coffee yield from five representative coffee-growing regions in Minas Gerais. An analysis of data consistency was performed, and relative fruit yield (RFY) was related to the soil organic matter (SOM), P, K, Ca, and Mg contents in the soil, establishing the boundary line (BL) in each graph. Equations were adjusted from the BL points, and the equation that best fit was selected. Using the QDpsR method, the response plane was divided into four quadrants, where the total leaf contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were plotted as a function of the contents of SOM, P, K, Ca, and Mg in the soil, on the y and x axes of the Cartesian coordinate system. The regression equations were adjusted to the pairs of points (y, x) of quadrants III and I and were used to estimate the macronutrient sufficiency ranges from the critical and optimal levels in the soil. The BL method was used to determine the class of good soil fertility for SOM, P, K, Ca, and Mg. The QDpsR method allows determination of response curves for leaf content as a variable of soil contents, making it possible to estimate the sufficiency ranges in the diagnostic leaf of coffee: 33.4-35.8 g kg-1 of N, 1.4-1.6 g kg-1 of P, 24.4-27.0 g kg-1 of K, 11.9-13.6 g kg-1 of Ca, 3.8-4.5 g kg-1 of Mg, and 1.4-1.8 g kg-1 of S; which were consistent with the sufficiency ranges considered suitable for the crop. This study demonstrated the importance of leaf analysis as a tool for evaluation of the nutritional status of Arabica coffee since the technique is consistent with the theoretical principles underlying it.

Influence of location, elevation gradients, processing methods, and soil quality on the physical and cup quality of coffee in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve of SW Ethiopia

“…In the current study, we have observed a significant relationship between most of the soil nutrients (macro and some of the micro) and coffee quality attributes. The amount of soil OM, P, K, Ca, and Mg provide a significant contribution to yield increment and the creation of conducive soil conditions for coffee ( Sousa et al., 2018 ). Similarly, the presence of a high amount of these nutrients in the forest coffee soils of the Kafa Biosphere has resulted in a positive effect on coffee quality.…”

Assessment of Soil Chemical Properties and Coffee Leaf Analysis in Goma Woreda of Oromia Region

“…In addition, the findings of the soil diagnosis and leaf diagnosis were not entirely consistent [25,18,38]. Following this, Sousa et al [40] reported that analysis of plant-soil nutrient relationship could use as a guideline to determine the fertilizer recommendation. As a result, it is advantageous to combine these two methods accurately identify the status and presence of nutrients.…”

Classification, physicochemical, soil fertility, and relationship to Coffee robusta yield in soil map unit selected

“…The result indicated the nutrients balance of Ca a n d M g which can support plant roots to absorb the nutrients needed and affect to yield plant. According to Sousa et al (2018) the soil organic matter significantly increased the content of N-total and S in the leaves of coffee plants from Minas Gerais. Kufa (2011); Kilambo et al (2015) stated that humus colloids have the higher cationic absorption compared to clay colloids with the result that the higher organic matter could be increasing the value of soil CEC.…”