Phosphorus as an essential element The Coffee Agro Forestry Ecosystem is associated with multiple crops (Coffee, Pepper, Areca, Cardamom, Oil Palm, Citrus, Ginger) and different species of herbs, trees and shrubs. The energy needs of various biotic partners, especially Phosphorus is limiting because of a number of reasons. First and foremost phosphorus is an essential […]
The Azolla anabaena symbiosis
Azolla partners a blue green algae inside its lobes and is capable of harvesting atmospheric nitrogen. Due to this invisible partnership the fern multiplies very fast. The symbiotic association of the algae aids in the creation of a huge amount of biomass on the surface of the water. It is then harvested, dried and used […]
Biological Nitrogen Fixation and its Importance in Coffee
In recent years, the Plantation Community is experimenting with new ideas and the prime reason for this transformation is the active interest of the younger generation who have dug in their heels head on into the Plantation. This indeed is a positive sign because it will enable the coffee sector to be vibrant with newfound […]
Termites as Environmental Bio-indicators inside Coffee Forests
We often look at India’s Coffee forests as a self-sustaining ecosystem closely interlinked with various biotic partners. A microscopic look reveals that all life, both above ground and underground, inside coffee forests is connected to the web of life. We make it a point to look at the larger picture and stimulate our imagination to […]
Organic Matter Decomposition and Mushrooms
Coffee Forests in India are recognized world over as forests having the most diverse flora and fauna accommodating coffee and multiple crops. The significance of these forests, in terms of its symbiotic association with various biotic components is often overlooked. Our research and publication of papers for the last three decades enumerating the role of […]
Cellulose Decomposers
Shade grown ecofriendly coffee plantations house a variety of forest and introduced trees which in turn provide biomass in the form of dead wood, leaf litter, plant and other residues. In fact the health of the Coffee forest ecosystem is largely due to the presence of a heterogeneous tree population. The large amounts of biomass […]