As the rainy season begins, coffee cherries start to increase rapidly in size, accompanied by vigorous shoot and branch growth. Therefore, supplementing the trees with nutrients during this period is essential to ensure healthy branch framework development and to secure a strong crop for the current and following years. Farmers should pay attention to the following key measures:
1. Fertilization
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At this stage, coffee cherries have a high nutrient demand, and it is also the peak time for pest and fungal attacks. Proper care helps limit fruit drop, supports quick tree recovery, and nourishes young cherries. From the start of the rainy season, apply fertilizers following the five-right principle: right type, right dosage, right ratio, right timing, and right application method.
|
Coffee age |
Commercial fertilizer volume (Kg/ha/year) | ||
| Urea | Phosphorus |
Potassium chloride |
|
|
Business coffee |
400 |
600 |
600 |
Recommended annual fertilizer amounts for mature coffee (over 4 years old) with yields around 3 tons/ha.
For every extra ton of coffee beans produced, add: 120–150 kg urea, 80–100 kg phosphorus, and 100–120 kg potassium chloride.
Application schedule (% of total annual amount):
| Type of stool | Fertilization rate(%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st time (during watering season) |
2st time (April, May) | 3st time (June, July) | 4st time (August, September) | |
| Ure Protein | 10 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Phosphorus | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| Potassium | 0 | 30 | 30 |
40 |
Also provide secondary and trace elements to improve nutrient uptake, boost fruit set, and produce larger, denser beans.
2. Pruning Shade Trees
At the start of the rainy season, prune shade trees so their canopy stands higher than the coffee canopy and thin branches to increase light and air circulation. Leave pruned leaves and small branches on the ground as green manure until they decompose, then remove the larger branches. Perform two prunings during the rainy season depending on shade tree regrowth, with the final pruning about one month before the rains end.
3. Removing Water Shoots
Water shoots grow rapidly in the rainy season and should be removed regularly, keeping only those planned for canopy replacement. On average, remove unwanted shoots once a month. Also thin out weak secondary branches at each node, leaving no more than three reserve shoots, and clear the top of the canopy to allow sunlight to penetrate.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Coffee Leaf Rust
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Symptoms: Yellow spots like oil drops appear on the underside of leaves, later developing orange powdery spores. Brown necrotic patches form, leaves drop, and severe cases can cause branch dieback and yield loss.
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Control: Plant resistant clones (TR4, TR9, TR11, TRS1), graft resistant varieties, or use recommended fungicides such as Biobus 1.00WP, Cure Super 300EC, Tilt Super 300E, Anvil 5SC, Nativo 750WG, or Conabin 750WG following manufacturer instructions.
Green and Brown Scale Insects
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Symptoms: These pests suck sap from young shoots, leaves, and developing cherries, stunting growth. They live in symbiosis with ants, which protect them and spread infestations. Honeydew secreted by the scales fosters sooty mold on leaves, branches, and cherries.
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Control: Keep fields clean, remove weeds around the canopy and trunk base, prune for good airflow, and regularly remove water shoots and low branches. Spray with insecticides such as Motox 10EC, FM-tox 100EC, Kozomi 1EC, Minup 0.9EC, or Tungrin 5EC as directed.
Coffee Berry Borer
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Symptoms: A small round hole appears near the cherry stem; inside, eggs, larvae, and adult borers (black in color) may be found. Damage causes blackened beans or partially/fully hollowed seeds.
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Control: Harvest ripe cherries promptly, especially early-ripening fruit, and collect any remaining dry or ripe cherries from trees and ground after harvest. If needed, spray the entire field with insecticides such as Profast 210EC, Penny 700EC, Wellof 300EC, or Diaphos 50EC according to manufacturer guidelines.
Applying these practices early in the rainy season helps coffee trees absorb nutrients effectively, develop strong branches, maintain fruit set, and minimize losses from pests and diseases, ultimately improving yield and bean quality.