Overview
Coffea robusta L.Linden, commonly known as robusta coffee, is a flowering plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. This plant is native to sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the regions of Angola, Congo, Uganda, and Cameroon. Today, it is widely cultivated in different parts of the world, such as Asia, South America, and Africa, among others.
Description
The Coffea robusta plant is an evergreen bush that can grow up to 10 meters tall, but typically reaches a height of about 4 meters. Its leaves are dark green, thick, and leathery, and its flowers are white and fragrant. The fruit of the Coffea robusta is a red or yellow berry that contains two seeds, commonly known as coffee beans, which are the source of the coffee we drink.
The Coffea robusta plant is characterized by its tenacity and resiliency, as it can grow in a variety of soil conditions and can withstand harsh growing environments. It is also known for its high caffeine content, which is almost double that of Arabica coffee.
Common Names
Robusta coffee is known by many different names around the world. Some of the most popular ones include:
- Coffea robusta
- Robusta coffee
- Robusta
- Canephora coffee
- Congo coffee
Uses
Robusta coffee is primarily used for its seeds, which are roasted, ground, and brewed to make coffee. The coffee produced from Robusta beans is known for its full-bodied, strong, and bitter taste, making it ideal for use in espressos and other coffee blends. Robusta coffee is also used as a stimulant, and its high caffeine content makes it popular among athletes and bodybuilders who use it as a pre-workout supplement. Additionally, the plant and its berries are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including headaches, fever, and asthma.
Light Requirements
Coffea robusta plants require bright light to grow but cannot tolerate direct sunlight for extended periods. When grown indoors, place them near a south-facing window that gets filtered light. When grown outdoors, the plant should be placed in a location that receives partial shade.
Temperature Requirements
Coffea robusta prefers warmer temperatures, with an ideal range of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the plant to become dormant, and temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can damage or kill the plant. It is important to protect the plant from extreme temperatures and frost.
Soil Requirements
Coffea robusta grows best in well-draining soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 6.5. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. The plant requires good drainage since it does not tolerate wet feet. Adding organic matter like compost or peat moss can help improve soil drainage.
Cultivation Methods for Coffea Robusta L.Linden
Coffea robusta L.Linden, also known as robusta coffee, is a hardy variety of coffee that requires specific cultivation methods. Robusta coffee is usually cultivated in warmer areas with altitudes ranging from 200 to 600 meters above sea level.
The soil where robusta coffee is cultivated must be acidic and well-draining. A pH range of 4.5 to 6.5 is optimal for the growth and productivity of the coffee plant. The ideal temperature for the cultivation of robusta coffee ranges from 24 to 30°C.
For successful cultivation, it is advisable to plant coffee seeds or seedlings in the rainy season when the soil is moist. The germination process usually takes 6 to 8 weeks.
Watering Needs for Coffea Robusta L.Linden
Coffea robusta L.Linden requires regular and frequent watering to maintain optimal growth and productivity. The best time to water robusta coffee plants is in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is not too strong.
The frequency of watering depends on weather conditions and the stage of plant growth. During the rainy season, the plants may require less watering, while during the dry season, the frequency of watering should increase. The soil should always be moist, but not waterlogged as it could lead to root rot.
Fertilization for Coffea Robusta L.Linden
Coffea robusta L.Linden requires regular fertilization to maintain adequate nutrition levels for optimal growth and productivity. Coffee plants in general require nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers.
The first round of fertilization should be done two to three months after planting, followed by subsequent rounds of fertilization every four to six months. Organic fertilizers, such as compost and manure are highly recommended as they gradually release nutrients to the soil, promoting long-lasting growth and productivity of the plant.
Pruning for Coffea Robusta L.Linden
Pruning is an essential practice in the cultivation of Coffea robusta L.Linden as it helps to maintain the plant's health, vigor, and productivity. Pruning should be done during the dry season when the plant is dormant.
The focus of pruning is to remove dead or weak branches, control plant height, and maintain a desirable shape. In addition, pruning helps to increase ventilation and sunlight penetration, which stimulates the plant's growth and productivity. It is advisable to use clean and sharp pruning tools to avoid damaging the plant.
Propagation of Coffea robusta L.Linden
Coffea robusta L.Linden is propagated through both sexual and asexual methods. The plant can be propagated through seeds, cuttings, grafting, and tissue culture.
Seed Propagation
The most common propagation method for Coffea robusta L.Linden is through the use of seeds. The seeds are usually extracted from ripe berries that have fallen to the ground. After extraction, the seeds are washed and dried in the sun. The seeds are then planted in a well-prepared nursery bed or potting bags filled with a mixture of fertile soil and organic manure. Germination occurs within two to four weeks, and plants are ready for transplant after about six months.
Vegetative Propagation
The vegetative propagation of Coffea robusta L.Linden can be done through cutting, grafting, and tissue culture. These methods are commonly used to ensure that the new plant will have the same genetic makeup as the parent plant.
Cuttings are taken from mature plants during the dormant season. The cuttings should be about 15 cm long and should have at least two nodes. They should be planted in a mixture of fertile soil and organic manure in a well-prepared nursery bed. Rooting usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks, and the new plants are ready for transplanting after six months.
Grafting is another vegetative propagation method used in Coffea robusta L.Linden. It involves joining a shoot or a bud from one plant onto a rooted plant of a related species. Grafting is mainly done to combine the desirable traits of the two plants.
Tissue culture is a more recent technique for Coffea robusta L.Linden propagation. It involves the growth of plant cells or tissues in a laboratory under aseptic conditions. This method can produce a large number of plants in a short period. The plants produced through tissue culture have the same genetic makeup as the parent plant and are disease-free.
Disease Management
Coffea robusta L. Linden, commonly known as Robusta coffee, is vulnerable to various fungal and bacterial diseases. These diseases can cause significant damages to the plant and reduce coffee yields. The common diseases that affect Robusta coffee plants include:
- Coffee leaf rust
- Coffee berry disease
- Fusarium wilt
- Bacterial blight
To effectively manage these diseases, coffee growers should implement the following strategies:
- Regular inspection of the crop to detect the onset of diseases before they spread.
- Cleaning of tools and equipment before and after use to minimize the spread of diseases.
- Pruning of infected branches to stop the spread of the disease.
- Application of fungicides and bactericides to the coffee plants following the recommended rates and schedules.
- Crop rotation with non-coffee crops to reduce the buildup of pathogens in the soil.
- Planting of resistant Robusta coffee varieties.
Pest Management
Coffee pests can cause significant damage to Robusta coffee plants leading to lower yields and economic losses. Some of the common pests that attack Robusta coffee plants include:
- Coffee berry borer
- Antestia bug
- Mites
- Root mealybugs
- Coffee white stem borer
To manage these pests effectively, coffee farmers should consider the following strategies:
- Regular scouting and monitoring of the coffee plants to detect pest populations early.
- Removal of infected plant parts and destruction of heavily infested plants.
- Use of biological control agents such as predators and parasitoids.
- Intercropping with plants that have pest repellent properties.
- Use of insecticides and acaricides following the recommended guidelines and safety precautions.
- Good agricultural practices such as proper pruning, irrigation, and fertilization that enhance the plant's resilience to pests and diseases.
