Suitable soil condition for growing coffee arabica

Coffee arabica provides the highly aromatic variety, forming the bulk of the commercial blends of coffee, which is usually grown in moderately high altitudes.

The plant is generally considered to be an upland species and the optimum temperature range is 15-24 °C, photosynthesis being reduce at temperatures above 25 °C. Coffee grows on soils with varying acidity. Slightly acid soils, as present under montane forest in southwestern Ethiopia, are the most suitable.

Since coffee is an evergreen plant, it requires sub-soil water at all time. Thus, deep soils with good water-holding capacity are the most suitable environment for coffee growth.

 

The average rainfall in most are of cultivation of coffee arabica is 1500-2000 mm although, in East and Central Africa, cultivation is possible with a rainfall as low as 1000 mm providing that irrigation is available.

The soil structure must also allow good drainage because the surface feeding roots need a drier period for part of the year to slow down growth ripen the wood and initiate flower bus. Properly controlled irrigations can increase the yield and bean quality of coffee arabica.
Soil suitable for coffee arabica