Determination of raw biomass, yield and income from intercropping models of coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre) compare with perennial trees in tropical climate

Abstract

This is the first report of evaluation of 4 Robusta coffee intercropping models (Coffea canephora Pierre var. Robusta) with perennial trees (Siamese cassia and durian) on Rhodic ferrasol soil and tropical climate. The models were: T0 - sole coffee, T1 - intercrop of coffee with Siamese cassia (Cassia siamea Lam.), T2 – intercrop of coffee with durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) at 9 x 9 m distance and T3 – intercrop of coffee with durian at 9 x 6 m distance. The results showed that the raw biomass increased from 71.6 tons ha-1 (T0) to 101.4 tons ha-1 (T1) or to 176.4 tons ha-1 (T2) or to 178.6 tons ha-1 (T3). The yield of dry coffee beans in T2 model was reduced by 300 kg ha-1 and by 1,000 kg ha-1 in T3 model, respectively, compared with T0 (4,120 kg.ha-1). However, they are in the same level with T1 (4,202 kg ha-1). The T2 and T3 models produced 22 and 23 tons ha-1 of durian fruits, respectively. Currently, planting of coffee solely or intercropping with forestry trees are popular methods of growers. We recommend that farmers should intercrop coffee with perennial fruit trees, which creates higher total-income and larger raw biomass.