arabica losing berries before maturity and some beans turn out empty in Wayanad
Why are my coffee berries dropping (berry drop) and beans hollow?
AAntony7mo ago · 269 views
4 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓7mo ago
Berry drop and hollow or floating beans in coffee come from poor pollination, moisture stress at critical stages, nutrient deficiency especially of elements like zinc and boron, and pests like berry borer. Lack of timely blossom and backing showers, or sudden dry spells after flowering, cause heavy drop and poor bean fill. Keep even soil moisture, maintain proper shade so the plants are not stressed, and follow a balanced nutrition plan based on a leaf or soil test. Manage coffee berry borer since it bores into beans and leaves them damaged or hollow. For the nutrient correction and any borer control, dose and timing, follow your KVK and the Coffee Board advice as recommendations differ by estate.
JJoseph Vakkachan7mo ago
In my estate the worst drop came after a dry spell right after flowering. When I could give a supporting irrigation the berries held better. The moisture stress at that early stage was shedding them.
BBabu Augustine6mo ago
Get a leaf or soil test, my hollow beans turned out to be a nutrient shortage. After correcting it on the KVK advice the bean fill improved. I was guessing for a year before testing.
TThomas Kuriakose6mo ago
Watch for berry borer, the tiny hole at the bean end gives it away. The borer bored beans were the empty damaged ones in my lot. Field sanitation and removing the leftover berries after harvest cut the carry over.