Indian shade grown coffee is always associated with one or the other multiple crops like Arecanut, Orange, Cardamom, Pepper, Oil palm, cocoa and banana. These multi crops grow luxuriantly along with Coffee and establish a symbiotic role where in one crop acts as an anchor to the other. These multi crops also provide a unique […]
Ecofriendly Coffee Pollinators Other than Bees & Butterflies
Almost all Coffee Planters, worldwide are of the opinion that Bees and butterflies are the only agents of pollination of coffee and other mixed crops associated with coffee. This is not true. There are many other agents of pollination closely associated with coffee forests. Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes and includes birds, insects […]
Key Role of Humic acid in Growth and Development of Arabica Coffee in South India.
Humatesis the purest form of natural organic matter formed as a result of decomposed prehistoric plant and animal matter. Humates contain fulvic, humic, Ulmicacid and lignin. Leonnoditeis the most commonly occurring humateore which is yellow to dark brown in color. Benefits of humates Humate is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants and free radical […]
Physiological Role of Potassium in Eco-friendly Shade Coffee
Coffee production requires a well-balanced and adequate supply of nutrition in the form of major elements such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash and other minor and trace elements. Among all the essential elements, potassium is the third most likely, to limit coffee growth and productivity. In Plantation crops like coffee, potassium is commonly considered as […]
In Plain Sight… The Wandering Violin Mantis
Every day, planters and employees walk among the various coffee bushes, shade trees, and other wild plants that grow within an eco-friendly coffee estate. Thousands (probably) of small creatures live and exist in all these bushes, trees and plants, and go unnoticed by the average person and large animal every single day. Behavior and natural […]
The Big Four Snakes Inside the Coffee Forests of India
The Coffee forests are blessed with some of the most unique and beautiful snakes. Almost all coffee zones are fertile ground for both venomous and nonvenomous snakes. The type of shade pattern inside the coffee estates varies with Arabica Plantations having dense shade and Robusta plantations more open to sun. Since reptiles are cold blooded, […]