Abstract
Coffee (<i>Coffea arabica</i> L.) is indigenous to the tropical rain forests of Ethiopia in the South and Southwest where there was persistent usage since ancient times. Coffee soils in the south-western parts of Ethiopia can be attributed to excessive accumulations of aluminum, iron or manganese which leads to deficiencies of phosphorus other nutrients. This low soil pH and nutrient deficiencies encountered in the soils of the study area are expected to decrease the growth and dry matter of coffee seedlings. Liming is more effective in combination with phosphorus fertilization or that the secondary effect of liming is higher phosphorus fertilizer availability to the coffee seedlings. The research was conducted at Jimma Agricultural Research Center, south west Ethiopia to evaluate the response of lime and phosphorus rates on coffee seedlings dry matter production and partitioning. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The treatments were arranged in factorial combinations of five levels of lime (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 400, 600 and 800 mg) 2.5 kg-<sup>1</sup> top soil. The statistical data was analyzed through SAS software and treatment means were compared at 5% probability using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results revealed that the interactions of lime and P rates significantly increased dry matter production, partitioning and shoot to root ratio. The maximum dry matter production, partitioning and shoot to root ratio were recorded from the interaction of 10 g lime and 800 mg P rates 2.5 kg-<sup>1</sup> top soil. Hence, combined application of 10 g lime and 800 mg P rate 2.5 kg-<sup>1</sup> top provides the optimum dry matter production, partitioning and shoot to root ratio for the growth of coffee seedlings under nursery conditions.
Highlights
Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is indigenous to the tropical rain forests of Ethiopia in the South and Southwest where there was persistent usage since ancient times
Soil acidity is characterized by low pH and the abundance of acidic cations (H, Al, Fe, and Mn) on system colloid soil solution
Soil acidity can be amended by adding liming materials to the soil Reductions in the dry matter production of shoots and roots and in the shoot/root ratio in the coffee seedlings, Al3+ accumulated in the roots and a small part of it was translocated to the aerial part
Summary
In Ethiopia coffee Arabica coffee is an important export crop traded globally and is a major foreign exchange earner for the country. In the high rainfall areas of western Ethiopia are strongly acidic, high in exchangeable aluminum throughout the profile, but low in CEC, exchangeable bases, available phosphorus, and organic matter [2] Under these conditions, increased levels of lime and phosphorus application significantly correlated with many of the agronomic parameters, and that the interaction effect thereof was significant. Adding lime or other materials can raise the soil pH to the ideal range for coffee seedlings production create an environment for the healthy functioning of microbes, and increase levels of calcium or magnesium ions Both soil physical and chemical conditions and the proportion of available nutrients determine coffee seedling vegetative growth and its latter health and vigorous seedlings for transplanting to main field.
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