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COFFEE
A Sip of Excellence
"Coffee is the source of happiness and wit," said
King Louis XIV who after experiencing coffee's excellent taste
and distinctive aroma began to recognize the value of it.
A sip of coffee reminisces significant events which shaped many
a nation's history. It has chronicled historical records that
date back to as far as 1200 A.D. when coffee became a very important
crop in the economy of many nations.
In the Philippines, the coffee industry began in 1740 during
the Spanish regime. It is considered one of the high-value crops
in the local and foreign markets. Coffee is among the top ten
agricultural crops in terms of value.
Coffee registered a total production of 123,934 metric tons
valued at P6,818.84 million in 1995. Today, we are exporting
to ICO and non-ICO member countries which include Japan, Singapore,
West Germany, Netherlands, Malaysia, Muscat Oman, United Arab
Emirates, Pakistan and U.S.A. These countries alone account for
97 percent of the total Philippine coffee export.
AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
Coffee trees require a rich, moist loose, well-drained soil
best composed of organic matter, decomposed mold, and disintegrated
volcanic rock; a well-distributed rainfall of about 40 to 70
inches annually with peak wet season' high humidity; seven hours
of sunshine daily; and plenty of mist and moderate winds.
Coffee trees vary greatly in sizes from dwarf trees to thick-trunked
forest giants twenty feet or more in tropic. Generally they are
restricted to areas with a medium average annual temperature
of 70oF, not lower than 55oF and much above
80oF.
VARIETIES 
Arabica is characterized by wavy leaf
margin, light green leaf color, thin leaves, pulp and parchment,
known as " kapeng tagalog." Yields 500-1,000 kg of
clean dry coffee beans per hectare. It could be grown productively
in cooler places with an elevation ranging from 1,200 to 1,800
meters above sea level.
Robusta is characterized by large umbrella
shaped growth with thinner leaves which have more wavy margins.
The berries are borne in heavy cluster with the pulp and parchment.
Yields 1,200 kg of clean  dry
coffee beans per hectare. It could be grown in areas with an
elevation ranging from 600 to 1,200 meters above sea level.
Excelsa has wide leaves that are thicker
than Robusta but thinner and smoother and more rounded than Liberica
with smooth edge. Young leaves are usually shiny with bronze
violet color. The berries are borne in heavy cluster, varying
in size and usually bigger than Arabica but smaller than Liberica.
Pulp and parchment are thicker than the Leberica. Yields 1,000
kg of clean dry coffee bean per hectare. It could be grown from
sea level to 600 meters above sea level.
Liberica is locally known as "kapeng
barako" because it produces the biggest berry. It is rounded
and are borne signly or in small clusters. Has thicker leaves
than Excelsa and twice as long as Arabica. The pulp is thick
and the parchment is more woody. It also characterized a very
strong pharmocopical taste and flavor. It is tolerant to drought
and grows in a wider type of soil. Yields 1,000 kg. Of clan dry
coffee beans per hectare.
TECHNOLOGY
Seed Preparation
 Coffee is grown
from seeds;
- Gather seeds from disease and pest-free, high yielding trees;
- Grow coffee plants in the nursery to produce better seedlings.
They nursery be located in the plantation or nearby and accessible
to water supply;
- Three-fourth kg (i.e. 750 gm) of quality seeds is enough
to plant a hectare;
- A 50% allowance of seeds must be considered for ungerminated
seeds, poor seedlings and for replanting;
- Select viable seeds, stir berries in a bucket of water and
remove floaters. Those that sink are the good ones;
- Remove pulp by hand or pulping machine, then soak beans in
water for 24 hours to hasten the removal of mucilage;
 
- Wash beans and discard floaters. Air dry in well-ventilated
room for least 4 days;
- Keep dried parchment in cool dry place or mix with charcoal
to preserve its viability;
- Germination bed must be 1 meter wide and of convenient length.
To avoid flooding, raise bed 15 cm from ground level;
- A 1 x 20 m plot can accommodate one ganta of seeds;
- Sow seeds on shallow rows at ¾ inch deep and cover
with fine soil;
- Water the seedbed regularly but not too wet and partially
shade plants from sunlight;
- This out and prick seedlings (transplant to another seedbed/plastic
bags) or when 2-3 pairs of leaves have developed.
Vegetable Propagation
- Coffee can also be propagated asexually;
- Clone is used for coffee propagation. It is a part of a plant
that is made to reproduce an offspring which carries all the
qualities of its parents.
- Split lengthwise into two halves of a fingersized vertical
shoot of about one foot long with 4-6 nodes to produce a clone.
Partially cut leaves before splitting;
- Set modal cutting in germination box 1x2 inches apart and
1 inch deep, then place boxes in germination chamber. Nodal cuttings
will produce roots and shoots within 45 days;
- Prick seedlings into individual plastic bags with soil.
Full-grown seedling with 4-6 pairs of leaves could be attained
within 6-8 months;
- Coffee plants raised from nodal cuttings bear fruits 18 months
after transplanting, earlier than plants grown from seeds.
Establishment of Plantation
Intensive clearing is necessary for newly opened areas (forest
area). Plow and harrow twice open field to check weed growth.
Mark places where holes are to be dug. Recommended spacing are
as follows:
| Variety |
Distance in Meters |
| |
|
|
ARABICA |
3 x 1 to 3 x 2 m |
| |
2 x 2 x 2 x 3 m double row |
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| Variety |
Distance in Meters |
| |
|
| ROBUSTA |
3 x 1.5 to 3 x 3m |
| |
2 x 2 x 2 x 4m double row |
 |
| Variety |
Distance in Meters |
| |
|
| Liberica & Excelsa |
4 x 5 to 5 x 5.5m |
| |
|
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Transplanting
Coffee seedlings are ready for transplant when 6 pairs of
leaves have been fully developed and with no lateral branches
yet. Dig holes and transplant in the field at the start of the
rainy season. This will give sufficient time for young plants
to establish roots before dry season sets in. Dig hole wide and
deep enough to accommodate ball of earth with roots intact. Return
topsoil in the hole, then add tablespoons phosporous fertilizer,
and mix thoroughly.
Fertilization
 The general recommendation
for non-bearing trees in the absence of soil and tissue analysis,
is an equal amount of NPK and ammonium sulfate or urea from 250-300
grams per tree per year; and for bearing trees (7 years and above)
1 kilo of 14-14 per tree per year plus ures sidedressed at the
rate of 300 grams per tree per year.
Non-bearing trees (1-3 years old) make shallow canal furrow
5 cm deep around the plant;
place recommended fertilizer in continuous band and cover with
soil.
Bearing trees (7 years old)-localized placement is recommended
for sloping land. Apply fertilizer in holes or trenches made
around trees between outside of the crown and onehalf meter from
the base. Broadcast fertilizer 0.5m for level land.
Pruning
Removal of unnecessary branches (excess, old and dead branches)
and undesirable sprouts. Pruning regulates the height of the
plants, facilitates harvesting and other field operations, promotes
better aeration and light penetration. This is best done before
general flowering or after harvest.
Common Pests and Control
Coffee Berry Borer most destructive and hardest to control.
Attacks all stages of fruit after berries become mungo-size.
Infested young berries turn from normal green color to yellow
orange and shortly afterwards, fruit falls prematurely. Presence
of empty or partially filled fruits underneath tree is a sure
sign of infestation.
Coffee Leaf folder larvae feed on leaves and sometime attack
flowers and fruits. Adult is a small moth with light brown forewings.
The eggs are laid in clusters on leaves. Development period is
5-6 weeks.
Control: Collect and destroy infested berries before and after
harvest. Pick up all berries, including those that fall on the
ground, to eliminate breeding and feeding sites of insects. Spray
Endosulfan at recommended rates at 14 to 21 days interval or
4 to 5 times spraying during fruiting season. The first spraying
should be done when the berries attain the size of a mungbean
seed.
Common Diseases and Control
Coffee Rust the most prevalent and destructive disease of
coffee, Small, yellowish spots appear on lower surface of leaves;
as spots enlarge, powdery yellow to orange spores are produced.
Affected leaves drop and tree may die. To prevent, use resistant
strains, spray susceptible varieties with copper fungicides at
2-3 week intervals at start of heavy rains.
Die-Back is characterized by drying of branches and twigs
from to and downwards. Appearance of spots with concentric lines
on both surfaces of seedlings, twigs, and berries. If severe
affected, leaves fall, twig and branches dry. To control, maintain
vigor of trees by fertilizing with the right kind and amount
of nutrients at proper time; regulate plant growth to prevent
overbearing by pruning and/or shade.
HARVESTING
 Maturity of berries
is 6 to 8 months after blooming but varies on the environmental
factors from region to region. In Mindanao, Arabica flower in
January to May and berries are harvested in August to December.
In Luzon, coffee trees bloom just after the first heavy rains
in May and June, Arabica and Robusta berries are harvested in
late December to March; Excelsa and Liberica later.
Individually pick berries (i.e priming) to avoid presence
of pedicels. For quality beans, harvest only matured berries
(i.e. berries turn red from its ground color.)
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