Coffee plants require several nutrients for optimal growth. If any of these nutrients are deficient, the plant will show different symptoms. This will affect the proper growth and productivity of the plants. We recognize these through changes in the Leaves, Stem, Flower and Fruits of plants. The main deficiency symptoms of coffee plants are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron etc.
1. Nitrogen Deficiency: Nitrogen is essential for vegetative growth. When deficient, coffee plants exhibit yellowing (chlorosis) of older leaves, beginning at the tip and moving toward the base. Growth becomes stunted, and the plant looks weak, reducing overall productivity.
2. Phosphorus Deficiency: Phosphorus is vital for root development and energy transfer within the plant. Deficiency symptoms include dark green leaves that may develop a purple or bronze tint, slow growth, and smaller leaves. Flowering and fruit set may be delayed or reduced.
3. Potassium Deficiency: Potassium helps in regulating water and nutrient transport. Deficiency symptoms manifest as browning and drying of leaf margins, primarily on older leaves. Coffee cherries may also be small, poorly developed, and prone to premature ripening, reducing bean quality.
4. Calcium Deficiency: Calcium strengthens cell walls and promotes root and leaf development. A lack of calcium leads to distortion and necrosis at leaf tips and margins, affecting young tissues. The plant may also exhibit stunted growth, leaf curling and poor root formation.
5. Magnesium Deficiency: Magnesium is crucial for photosynthesis as it forms the core of the chlorophyll molecule. Deficiency appears as interveinal chlorosis, where the tissue between leaf veins turns yellow while veins remain green. This primarily affects older leaves.
6. Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency in coffee plants causes the leaves to turn pale green and then yellow or white, while the veins remain green.
Coffee diseases are caused by nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, etc along with nutrients and iron; they affected different plant organs resulting in deformity and sometimes death of the whole plant. Appropriate take care are often necessary to prevent diseases developing to a level that would reduce the productivity or quality to the coffee plant. Removal distribution of diseased branches is usually sufficient to control the disease.