Correlation of Elevation, Soil Chemical Properties and Yield of Coffee Arabica Grown in Shaded and Unshaded Condition

Siahaan, Adriani S. A.; Hanum, C.; Karim, A. et al.

Correlation of Elevation, Soil Chemical Properties and Yield of Coffee Arabica Grown in Shaded and Unshaded Condition

2022

Siahaan, Adriani S. A. | Hanum, C. | Karim, A. et al.

The present study analysed the correlation between altitude, soil chemical properties, and shade on Arabica coffee yields in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The research method of purposive sampling was applied. Both topsoil and subsoil samples were analysed for soil acidity (pH), the level of soil carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), P2O5, potassium (K), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The coffee growth variables observed included productive branches, number of bunches, number of fruit/bunches, diameter of canopy and yield. The outcome quality variables were physical quality and taste. Data on soil chemical properties, altitude, yield and coffee quality were analysed using the correlation method. The results showed that under shading, the soil N, P, K contents, CEC and pH of soil were correlated positive with altitude increase, while C-organic content, productive branches, number of fruits per bunch and coffee production were correlated negative. Under unshade condition, the soil N, C-organic, K contents, soil pH, productive branches, the number of fruit per bunch were correlated negative with altitude increase, while CEC, soil P content, number of bunches, diameter of canopy and coffee yield were correlated positive. Under shaded condition, the most significant positive correlation was registered for the number of bunches (0.959), followed by CEC (0.786), soil pH (0.831) and soil P content (0.829), while without shading the canopy diameter showed the highest correlation (0.89). The study revealed that shading affects the taste of Arabica coffee, namely the quality of flavour, body, aftertaste and balance, at all altitudes.

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