Project Overview
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Additional Plants: native plants
Practices
- Crop Production: agroforestry, biological inoculants
- Education and Training: demonstration, workshop, technical assistance
- Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, habitat enhancement
Proposal abstract:
Many small-scale farmers with limited resources produce coffee in Puerto Rico. The majority of farms are located in the mountain region, on acid, highly erodible soils. Long-term, sustainable coffee production using environmentally sound practices should include shade trees and, if possible, Nitrogen Fixing Trees (NFT). In an effort to increase coffee production, sun grown coffee was promoted by the Agriculture Department. Unfortunately, this system of production requires high imputs and is environmentally damaging. Our objective is to help coffee farmers to choose the best shade species and management alternatives for high-quality, sustainable coffee production. Coffee production in Puerto Rico is located in the central mountain region, mostly on acid, highly erodible soils. Due to several factors like labor costs, hurricanes destruction and high costs of agrochemicals, production has declined. Many small and medium scale farmers have limited resources and use questionable practices. Long-term, sustainable coffee production using environmentally sound practices should include shade trees and, if possible, fast-growing, nitrogen fixing trees (FGNFT). In an effort to increase coffee production, sun grown coffee was promoted by the Agriculture Department in the 1960’s. Unfortunately, this system of production requires high inputs and is environmentally harmful. To help coffee farmers, we will determine the best agroecological zone, evaluate legume trees species with potential for shade use, and determine management alternatives for high-quality, sustainable coffee production.
Project objectives from proposal:
Objective 1. Survey present coffee production systems used by farmers in Puerto Rico
During the past year the field work, data analysis and final writing for this objective has been completed by Mr. Miguel Arango (MS student). Using the amount of coffee produced by municipality, the 20 highest coffee producing municipalities were selected for field sampling. Combing the number of farms with shaded coffee with the map of coffee production area, coffee growers were located and interviewed. Each farm was sampled (1,000 sq meters plots) up to 5 acres or 2 plots for larger farms. In each plot, tree species were identified, measured for diameter at breast high (DBH) and tree high estimated. Plots were georeferenciated with GPS, and located in a GIS map, to correlate with soil map and altitude. Climatic data, potential plant growth estimates and soil characteristics were combined to produce a coffee agro zoning map. Results were presented at scientific meetings and the draft of a publication to be submitted to Agroforestry Systems is at its final stage. Due to its extensive details, the information concerning coffee agrozoning in Puerto Rico will be prepared for publication as an Agricultural Experimental Station Bulletin.
Objective 2. Evaluate the potential value of fast growing nitrogen fixing trees for the production of shade coffee.
Seeds of the available 30 nitrogen-fixing species were evaluated in greenhouse experiments in two representative soils. Plant height and dry weight, nodule number and weight and nitrogenase activity (ARA) were measured. Data have been statistically analyzed and results were included in Manuel Santana’s MS thesis presented during the past year.
Objective 1. Survey present coffee production systems used by farmers in Puerto Rico
During the past year the field work, data analysis and final writing for this objective has been completed by Mr. Miguel Arango (MS student). Using the amount of coffee produced by municipality, the 20 highest coffee producing municipalities were selected for field sampling. Combing the number of farms with shaded coffee with the map of coffee production area, coffee growers were located and interviewed. Each farm was sampled (1,000 sq meters plots) up to 5 acres or 2 plots for larger farms. In each plot, tree species were identified, measured for diameter at breast high (DBH) and tree high estimated. Plots were georeferenciated with GPS, and located in a GIS map, to correlate with soil map and altitude. Climatic data, potential plant growth estimates and soil characteristics were combined to produce a coffee agro zoning map. Results were presented at scientific meetings and the draft of a publication to be submitted to Agroforestry Systems is at its final stage. Due to its extensive details, the information concerning coffee agrozoning in Puerto Rico will be prepared for publication as an Agricultural Experimental Station Bulletin.
Objective 2. Evaluate the potential value of fast growing nitrogen fixing trees for the production of shade coffee.
Seeds of the available 30 nitrogen-fixing species were evaluated in greenhouse experiments in two representative soils. Plant height and dry weight, nodule number and weight and nitrogenase activity (ARA) were measured. Data have been statistically analyzed and results were included in Manuel Santana’s MS thesis presented during the past year.