Coffee is one of Kenya’s most valuable cash crops. Along with tea, coffee has become a way for many families to make a living. The coffee business employs a lot of people and brings in almost 5% of the country’s income. It’s mainly grown for beverages, but its residues can provide fuel, mulch, and manure. Due to its high demand, farmers have decided to add fertilizer to their crops to improve their quality, increase their yields, and make a good profit after harvest.
When choosing the fertilizer, it’s important to remember that coffee fertilizer is recommended based on the specific nutrients the plant needs. Knowing the type of coffee plant is also helpful.
Coffee needs fertilizer that has both macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are elements that are needed in large amounts, while micronutrients are elements that are needed in small amounts.
The following are two categories of the best coffee fertilizers in Kenya:
1. Straight Fertilizer
Straight fertilizers are types of fertilizers that supply one nutrient to the coffee plant, and they include:
a.) Potassium Fertilizers
Potassium fertilizers are used to help plants grow quickly, make many organic compounds, and make a big difference in the quality of the cup.
The following are four potassium fertilizers:
I. Magnesium fertilizer
ii. Sulphate potash
iii. potassium chloride
iv. Magnesium sulphate
3 Reasons Why Potassium Fertilizers are the Best for the coffee plant
1. Potassium aids the coffee tree in the formation of mucilage, which prevents bean nipping during pulping.
2. Potassium promotes the formation of bold, high-quality berries.
3. Potassium facilitates efficient water utilization in the coffee plant.
4. An adequate potassium supply promotes uniform berry ripening, thereby preventing delayed harvesting periods.
b.) Phosphate Fertilizers
Phosphorus fertilizers are essential for the coffee plant during early growth and root development, especially during grafting and while in nurseries.
Below are four phosphate fertilizers
i. Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer
II. Triple super phosphate (TSP)fertilizer
III. Phosphoric acid fertilizer
iv. Single super phosphate fertilizer
3 Reasons Why Phosphoric Fertilizers are the Best for Coffee in Kenya
1. Phosphorus enhances the early maturity of the coffee berries
2. It helps in roots bearing in the coffee plant
3. Phosphorus helps to increase the bean density of the coffee berries
4. Phosphorus facilitates the wood development of the coffee plant
c.) Nitrogen Fertilizers
Nitrogen fertilizer is essential in flower production and contributes to higher yields. The following are four nitrogen fertilizers required by the coffee tree:
i. Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)
ii. Urea
ii. Ammonia Sulphate Nitrate(ASN)
iii. Ammonia Sulphate
3 Reasons Why Nitrogen Fertilizers are the Best for Coffee in Kenya
1. It improves the bearing capacity of the coffee plant
2. Nitrogen increase the beans size of the berries in the coffee plant
3. Nitrogen enhances the vegetative growth in the coffee plant
4. Zinc Fertilizers
Zinc fertilizer is a micronutrient that plays a crucial role in obtaining sufficient yields, and the five zinc fertilizers include:
i. Zinc sulphate
ii. Boron
iii. Solubor
iv. Borax
v. Zinc oxide
The following are three reasons why zinc fertilizers are the best fertilizer for coffee in Kenya:
1. Zinc fertilizer intensifies initiation and formation
2. Zinc fertilizer influences the leaf size of the coffee plant
3. Zinc fertilizer influences the hormone of the coffee plant
2. Compound Fertilizers
Compound fertilizer consists of a mechanical mixture of nutrient elements screened to be homogenous with a certain proportion of primary nutrients in each granule,
i. NPK Fertilizer
Below are four reasons why NPK is the best fertilizer for coffee:
1. NPK provides maximum benefit by helping in the bearing of new wood in the coffee plant
2. It’s economical to use NPK fertilizer in soils that need more than one nutrient element
3. NPK helps in maintaining the optimum soil pH
Farm Yard Manure
Farm Yard Manure is an organic fertilizer made from the decomposition of animal feces and other decomposable materials. It is used as mulch and to provide nutrients to coffee plants.
Here are five reasons why manure is the best fertilizer for coffee in Kenya:
1. Manure helps to minimize topsoil moisture, especially during the dry seasons.
2. Manure increases microbial activity, facilitating nutrient breakdown and supply to the coffee plant.
3. Manure helps in the maintenance of the soil structure and also controls soil erosion.
5. Poultry manure is rich in phosphorus and nitrogen, which play a significant role in the quality of the coffee produced.
How Do You Increase Flowering in Coffee?
To increase the flowering rate of the coffee plant, make sure it gets enough micronutrients, especially zinc and boron, during the flowering stage. It will also help to improve the berry set and the overall yield potential.
Is NPK Good for Coffee?
Yes, NPK forms a significant part of the macronutrient elements since coffee requires a lot of potassium, nitrogen, and a little phosphorus.
Is Urea Fertilizer Good for Coffee?
Yes, urea contains a nitrogen element suitable for plant optimization and plays a significant role in the vegetative growth of the coffee plant during its early phases. Therefore, it is advisable to use it at the early stages of the coffee plant.
Foliar fertilizers are absorbed through the stomata, or the leaves’ epidermis, by using the foliar technique of feeding the plant by applying the liquid directly on the coffee leaves.
Yara Coffee Fertilizer
Yara coffee fertilizers are grouped into product families to make the right choice more accessible. This fertilizer includes:
1. Yara Bela Fertilizer
2. Yara Mila-compound Fertilizer
3. YaraLiva –Calcium Fertilizer
4. Yara Vera-Urea Fertilizer
5. YaraRega Fertigation and applied NPKs
Coffee Spraying Program
Before the onset of rain and immediately after the rains in January–March and July–August, respectfully apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium start soon after the pin head, 3-4 weeks after the lowest drop, in the months of March-April and September-October. Applying at the expansion stage for 16 weeks.
During May–June and November–December, potassium (K), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) application starts immediately after the first signs of berry ripening.
During bean development in January-February and July –August apply zinc.
In February and August, the boron application starts immediately after the first bud emergence.
Coffee Fertilizer
Coffee fertilizer is formulated and packed. It consists of a well-balanced ratio of NPK fertilizer, the primary nutrient required to maintain the plant’s health.
This is supplemented by microelements, which help boost production for long-term high yields.
Baraka fertilizer for coffee is formulated and blended explicitly for the top dressing of the coffee tree.
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