Summary
A simple technique for determining the time to irrigate coffee using leaf water potential as an indicator of internal water belance is described. The technique is based on the time taken for dry cobalt chloride paper disk to change its colour from blue to pink when attached to the abaxial side of the leaf. If this is more than 5 min during the time when trees experience maximum diurnal stress (i. e. between 12.30 and 14.00 h) and leaf water potential is close to −20 bar trees should be irrigated, otherwise not.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barrs HD (1968) Determination of water deficit in plant tissue. In: Kozlowski (ed) Water deficits and plant growth, Vol. 1 Academic Press, New York, pp 236–268
Blore TWD (1966) Further Studies of water use by irrigated and unirrigated Arabica coffee in Kenya. J Agric Sci 67:145
Cannell MGR (1971) Production and distribution of dry matter in trees of Coffea arabica L. in Kenya as affected by seasonal climatic differences and presence of fruit. Ann Appl Biol 67:99
Henderson FY (1936) The preparation of three-colour strips for transpiration measurements. Ann Bot 50:321
Kaufmann MR (1968) Evaluation of the pressure chamber method. Proc Am Soc Hortic Sci 93:186
Kumar D, Tieszen LL (1980) Photosynthesis in Coffea Arabica L. II Effects of water stress. Exp Agric 16:21
Kumar D, Bondurant B, Katyal AK (1981; in press): Coffee irrigation using the overhead sprinkler system. Ken Coff
Mwakha EN (1979) Coffee cultural trials. In Experimental Agronomy Annual Report of Coffee Research Station, Ruiru 1977/78
Nunes MA, Bierhuizen JF, Plogman C (1968) Effect of light, temperature and CO2 concentration on photosynthesis of Coffea arabica. Act Bot Neerl 17:93
Pereira HC (1957) Field measurements of water use for irrigation control in Kenya Coffee. J Agric Sci 49:459
Scholander PF, Brandsheet ED, Hammell HT, Hemingsen EA (1965) Sap pressure in vascular plants, Science N Y 148:339
Slatyer RO (1968) Plant Water Relationships. Academic Press, London
Stocker O (1929) Eine Feldmethode zur Bestimmung der momentanen Transpirations- und Evaporationsgrö\e. Ber Dtsch Bot Ges 47:126
Tesha AJ, Kumar D (1979) Effects of soil moisture potassium and nitrogen on mineral absorption and growth of Coffea arabica L. Turrialba 29:213
Wallis JAN (1963) Water use by irrigated Arabica coffea in Kenya, J Agric Sci 60:381
Weatherly PE (1950) Studies in water relations of cotton plant. The field measurements of water deficits in leaves. New Phytol 49:81
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Akunda, E.M.W., Kumar, D. A simple technique for timing irrigation in coffee using cobalt chloride paper disks. Irrig Sci 3, 57–62 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00251383
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00251383