Coffee Soil and Leaf Tissue Sampling
Coffee soil AND leaf tissue sampling [101,102,107] is recommended and should be conducted at least annually or biennially and submitted for analysis. Coffee leaf and soil sampling instructions are found at www.HawaiiCoffeeEd.com/leafandsoil. Sample results can help growers identify deficiencies and other problems [91,104] and interpretations can help determine how to meet and remain within the nutrient and pH sufficiency ranges for their crop [92,106,108]. Tables 2 and 3 show adequacy ranges for various Hawaii soil types and for mature coffee tree leaf tissues.
Soil and leaf sample results along with phenology, historical yield, and fertilizer program details can be used in crop logging to create an effective coffee fertilization program for current and anticipated production. Separate fertilization programs should be created for non-producing, low-production, and high-production coffee trees to address their varied nutritional requirements.
The results of soil and leaf sample tests can also help determine, prevent, and address plant and soil toxicities when applying products with heavy metals such as copper-based fungicides.
Soil and leaf sample results along with phenology, historical yield, and fertilizer program details can be used in crop logging to create an effective coffee fertilization program for current and anticipated production. Separate fertilization programs should be created for non-producing, low-production, and high-production coffee trees to address their varied nutritional requirements.
The results of soil and leaf sample tests can also help determine, prevent, and address plant and soil toxicities when applying products with heavy metals such as copper-based fungicides.
Table 2. Soil analysis levels generally considered adequate for three broad soil bulk density categories in Hawaii1.
This table has been included and adapted from “Adequate Nutrient Levels in Soils and Plants in Hawaii (General Guide)” [92] with permission from the authors.
Table 3. Suggested “sufficiency” nutrient levels in tissues of coffee.
91. Nagao, M. A., K. D. Kobayashi, and G. M. Yasuda. 1986. Mineral Deficiency Symptoms of Coffee. Research Extension Series 073. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/RES-073.pdf
92. Tamimi, Y. N., J. A. Silva, R. S. Yost, and N. V. Hue. 1997. Adequate Nutrient Levels in Soils and Plants in Hawaii (General Guide). AS-3. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/AS-3.pdf
101. Hue, N. V., R. Uchida, and M. C. Ho. 1997. Testing Your Soil: Why and How to Take a Soil-Test Sample. AS-4. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/Portals/43/AS-4.pdf.
102. Kawabata, A. M. 2023. How to Take Coffee Leaf and Soil Samples. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/uploads/2/6/7/7/26772370/how_to_take_coffee_leaf_and_soil_samples_081623.pdf.
104. Hue, N. V. and H. Ikawa. 1997. Liming Acid Soils of Hawaii. AS-1. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/AS-1.pdf
107. Silva Sousa, J., J. C. Lima Neves, H. E. Prieto Martinez, and V. H. Alvarez V. 2018. Relationship between Coffee Leaf Analysis and Soil Chemical Analysis. Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Solo 42:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1590/18069657rbcs20170109.
108. Uchida, R. 2000. Chapter 4: Recommended Plant Tissue Nutrient Levels for Some Vegetable, Fruit, and Ornamental Foliage and Flowering Plants in Hawaii. In J. A. Silva & R. Uchida (Eds.), Plant Nutrient Management in Hawaii’s Soils, Approaches for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture (pp. 57-65). College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/pnm4.pdf
92. Tamimi, Y. N., J. A. Silva, R. S. Yost, and N. V. Hue. 1997. Adequate Nutrient Levels in Soils and Plants in Hawaii (General Guide). AS-3. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/AS-3.pdf
101. Hue, N. V., R. Uchida, and M. C. Ho. 1997. Testing Your Soil: Why and How to Take a Soil-Test Sample. AS-4. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/Portals/43/AS-4.pdf.
102. Kawabata, A. M. 2023. How to Take Coffee Leaf and Soil Samples. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/uploads/2/6/7/7/26772370/how_to_take_coffee_leaf_and_soil_samples_081623.pdf.
104. Hue, N. V. and H. Ikawa. 1997. Liming Acid Soils of Hawaii. AS-1. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/AS-1.pdf
107. Silva Sousa, J., J. C. Lima Neves, H. E. Prieto Martinez, and V. H. Alvarez V. 2018. Relationship between Coffee Leaf Analysis and Soil Chemical Analysis. Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Solo 42:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1590/18069657rbcs20170109.
108. Uchida, R. 2000. Chapter 4: Recommended Plant Tissue Nutrient Levels for Some Vegetable, Fruit, and Ornamental Foliage and Flowering Plants in Hawaii. In J. A. Silva & R. Uchida (Eds.), Plant Nutrient Management in Hawaii’s Soils, Approaches for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture (pp. 57-65). College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/pnm4.pdf