Intercropping compact Arabica coffee hybrid at establishment stages with food crops in Kenya, 1: Effects on coffee growth, leaf water potential and leaf nutrient concentration in Kenya.

Abstract

Intercropping studies involving Irish potatoes, tomatoes, maize and dry beans at various planting arrangements and combinations with young Arabica coffee hybrid Cv. "Ruiru 11' were conducted between 1987 and 1990. Intercropping systems involving maize significantly (P=0.05) depressed coffee growth such as stem height, stem thickness, lengths of primary branches, number of primaries per tree, coffee seedlings survival rate and leaf area expansion. Intercropping did not significantly affect coffee leaf water potentials and plant nutrient concentrations adversely when compared to the sole coffee.