Proposed Techniques to Supplement the Loss in Nutrient Cycling for Replanted Coffee Plantations in Vietnam

Abstract

Nutrient cycling of the coffee ecosystem is often characterized by nutrient losses during the harvest, tree’s growth, leaching and erosion. The “Coffee Rejuvenation Strategies in Vietnam” has risked not being complete on schedule, with the low survival rate of seedlings on replanted soil, due to the nutrient loss and imbalance supplements after a long-term of monoculture and intensive cultivation. In this study, measures, including biochemical and organic treatments were applied to replanted coffee farm, in order to supplement the loss of nutrient cycling. Survival rate, growth indicators, and soil properties from the controls and treatments, were monitored and compared during the experimental periods. The results suggested the optimal tillage model as follow: Remove old coffee trees with their stumps and roots; liming 1.5 tons/ha; dry tillage soil for the first 6 months; Intercrop Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta) with new coffee plants for the next 6 months; From the second year, apply 5 kg of microbial organic fertilizer /hole/year; bury 30 kg of green manure/hole/2–3 years; apply NPK fertilizers according to the governmental recommended procedure. This would be a proposed integrating tillage method to supplement the lost nutrients and restore the fertility of replanted coffee soil in Vietnam.

Organic Amendments: Direct Application and Residual Effects on Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of Hot Pepper

“…Similar findings were also explored by Maru et al [ 48 ]; Sikder and Joardar [ 49 ]; and Bhattarai et al [ 50 ], who determined that the application of organic fertilizer in biochar form increased plant height in pea and rice crops. This might be due to the availability of high organic matter and total nitrogen content [ 36 ], which enhance the capacity to easily uptake nutrients [ 51 , 52 ], maintain soil moisture, and improve fertility [ 53 ] that eventually advances growth media porosity, aeration, and water retention capacity [ 54 ]. Organic amendments provide growth stimulants for plants to grow and resist unfavorable conditions as supported by Pampuro et al [ 55 ].…”

Organic amendment composition and sowing depth in coffee Arabica: Effects on seedling growth biometrics

“…The alkaline nature of forest soil pH is accountable for producing more root exudates and multiplication of soil microbes [ 43 ]. Similarly, the low bulk and particle densities in the organic amendments could improve soil porosity, aeration and nutrient uptake capacity as supported by Pham et al [ 42 ]. According to Getachew and Muleta [ 40 ], the organic amendments' exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and potassium content may neutralize organic acids and enhance the absorption of other nutrients.…”

“…In addition, seedling emergence in decomposed coffee husk application is more effective compared to using topsoil only [ 5 , 33 , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] ], probably due to the availability of high organic carbon and the primary macronutrients [ [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] ] and low pH value, bulk and particle density ( Fig. 2 ) density which improves soil porosity, aeration and nutrient uptake capacity [ 42 ] in the organic amendments. The availability of calcium, magnesium, and potassium contents may aid in the neutralization of organic acids and enhance the absorption of other nutrients by roots and their translocation within the coffee plant [ 40 ].…”

Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling in Cropland and Grassland Ecosystems

“…These site-and region-specific approaches may comprise the use of nitrification inhibitors, either biochemical [1] or biological (i.e., Brachiaria grass, Brachiaria spp.) [2], to reduce N losses (lixiviation and emissions) and improve N-use efficiency in a wide variety of soils that vary from N-fertilized agriculture to pasture soils.…”

“…Accordingly, combined methods might sometimes be useful to restore soil fertility. To restore soil properties and N-P-K cycling of a degraded coffee tree plantation, the article by Pham et al [1] analyses a series of "rejuvenation strate-gies" for coffee. Among combined treatments seeking to increase survival rate of seedlings on replanted land, authors assessed biochemical (NPK fertilizer) and organic treatments (i.e., liming) combined in short-term crop intercropping (Mexican marigold, Tagetes erecta) and microbial organic fertilizer (manure), and green manure applications.…”