Author(s): N. GOKAVI, D. S. MUKHARIB, K. MOTE, A. N. MANJUNATHA AND Y. RAGHURAMULU

Abstract: A field experiments was initiated to standardize suitable planting designs and pruning methods to get sustainable yield in Arabica coffee at Central Coffee Research Institute, Coffee Research Station, Balehonnur, Karnataka during the year 2006-07. Bush management practices such as pruning and handling, centering and desuckering had shown positive effect over last three years. Results from the pooled data showed that, among the different pruning treatments, treatment T4 (Square system at close spacing (5’x5’) + training on multiple stem without topping + cyclic pruning after each harvest (1742 plants/acr.) took less number of man days (26) to carry out bush management operations per hectare unit area compared to control (63 man days per hectare). Data also indicated that, about 32 to 59 per cent of labour saving could achieve by adopting modified pruning methods over the traditional pruning method on pooled data basis. Significantly higher clean coffee yield per hectare (2195 kg ha-1) was recorded in T3 (Square system of planting (6’x 6’ Quincunx) + training on single stem + multiple stem on middle plant) on pooled basis. Coffee is a labour intensive crop and pruning is a skilled process. Hence, modified pruning methods such as cyclic and rock-n-roll pruning could be a option for overcoming the labour scarcity and reduce the labour drudgery in coffee plantation as these systems facilitates easy and no skilled involved in pruning operations. Adaption of high density planting system such as Square system of planting (6’x 6’ Quincunx) + training on single stem + multiple stem on middle plant) could helps to achieve significantly higher clean coffee yield per hectare.

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