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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 13, No. 1

Publication Date: February 25, 2025

DOI:10.14738/aivp.131.18294.

Rudragouda, Girijesh, G. K., Nagaraja, J. S., Veeranna, H. K., Adivappar, N., Devagiri, G. M., Dinesh Kumar, M., Nadaf, S. A., &

Suchitra, M. A. (2025). Litter Dynamics and Nutrient Contributions in Arabica Coffee Agroforestry Systems Under Varied Shade

Regimes in the Central Western Ghats, India. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 13(1). 335-351.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Litter Dynamics and Nutrient Contributions in Arabica Coffee

Agroforestry Systems Under Varied Shade Regimes in the Central

Western Ghats, India

Rudragouda*

ORCID: 0009-0003-1703-4346

Corresponding Email ID: rudragouda@uahs.edu.in / rudragouda.cb@gov.in

Central Coffee Research Institute, Coffee Research Station Post – 577 117,

Chikkamagaluru, India andDepartment of Agronomy, College of Agriculture,

KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, India

Girijesh, G. K.

Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture,

KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, India

Nagaraja, J. S.

Central Coffee Research Institute, Coffee Research Station

Post – 577 117, Chikkamagaluru, India

Veeranna, H. K.

Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture,

KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, India

Nagarajappa Adivappar

Department of Horticulture,

KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, India

Devagiri, G. M.

Collage of Forestry KSNUAHS,

Shivamogga, India

Dinesh Kumar, M.

Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture,

KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, India

Nadaf, S. A.

Coffee Research Sub Station,

Chettalli, Kodagu, India

Suchitra, M. A.

Coffee Research Sub Station,

Chettalli, Kodagu, India

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Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 336

European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 13, Issue 1, February-2025

ABSTRACT

Coffee agroforestry systems (CAS) are increasingly recognized as an effective

climate change mitigation strategy due to their ability to sequester carbon.

However, most studies on CAS have focused on the management and productivity of

coffee plants, with limited attention to litterfall dynamics and their contribution to

soil nutrients, particularly in Indian coffee plantations. In this study, quantified and

compared litterfall dynamics in arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) grown under

different shade patterns. Litterfall collected from designated quadrants was

analyzed using standard soil testing procedures. Results showed significant

variation in litterfall across treatments, ranging from 3.43 to 13.54 MT ha-1. The

highest litterfall was recorded under exotic species shade with 13.54 MT ha-1,

followed by native species shade with 11.68 MT ha-1. In terms of nutrient

contributions to the soil, coffee grown under native species shade recorded the

highest addition of nitrogen (301.37 kg ha-1) and phosphorus (22.19 kg ha-1),

significantly exceeding other treatments. Conversely, potassium addition was

highest under exotic species shade (257.30 kg ha-1). The findings suggest that coffee

grown under a two-tier mixed shade system, comprising both native and exotic

species, benefits from enhanced litterfall dynamics and improved nutrient

contributions to the soil compared to unshaded systems. To promote soil health and

sustainability, policy incentives should encourage the adoption and maintenance of

two-tier mixed shade systems in coffee plantations.

INTRODUCTION

Coffee cultivation in India, rooted in the biodiverse landscapes of the Western and Eastern

Ghats, represents a unique blend of ecological sustainability and agricultural productivity. The

traditional coffee-growing regions of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu trace their origins to

the pioneering efforts of colonial planters, which were later advanced by Indian successors.

Over time, coffee cultivation extended to newer regions such as Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and

the northeastern states, where it emerged post-independence as a catalyst for the socio- economic development of tribal communities (Raghuramulu and Rudragouda, 2017). In these

regions, coffee cultivation not only drives economic activity but also plays a pivotal role in

fostering rural livelihoods. Unlike many other coffee-producing countries, Indian coffee is

predominantly cultivated under agroforestry systems. These systems integrate coffee plants

with a canopy of native shade trees, creating a multi-strata cropping system interspersed with

high-value intercrops such as black pepper, cardamom, orange, banana and avocado. This

traditional practice ensures biodiversity conservation, supports ecosystem services such as

carbon sequestration and soil stabilization, and enhances microclimatic conditions favorable

for coffee production (Vaast et al., 2006). Notably, Indian coffee cultivation in the Western and

Eastern Ghats contributes significantly to preserving these ecologically sensitive biodiversity

hotspots. However, changing cultivation practices and climate variability pose challenges to the

sustainability of Indian coffee agroforestry systems. Over the past few decades, coffee growers

have increasingly shifted from shaded, biodiverse systems toward more intensive, mono shade- based practices aimed at maximizing yields. These shifts have resulted in reduced shade cover,

diminished biodiversity and altered microclimatic conditions, which together exacerbate the

effects of climate variability on coffee yield and quality (Chengappa et al., 2017). Similar

challenges have been observed globally in other coffee-producing countries such as Brazil,

Colombia, and Vietnam, where excessive rainfall, temperature fluctuations and reduced

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337

Rudragouda, Girijesh, G. K., Nagaraja, J. S., Veeranna, H. K., Adivappar, N., Devagiri, G. M., Dinesh Kumar, M., Nadaf, S. A., & Suchitra, M. A. (2025).

Litter Dynamics and Nutrient Contributions in Arabica Coffee Agroforestry Systems Under Varied Shade Regimes in the Central Western Ghats, India.

European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 13(1). 335-351.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.131.18294

biodiversity have led to significant declines in coffee production (Cristancho et al., 2012; Bunn

et al., 2015).

Research highlights the ecological and agronomic importance of shaded coffee systems in

mitigating the effects of climatic stressors. Shade trees moderate extreme temperatures, reduce

soil erosion, enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) levels and improve nutrient cycling through leaf

litterfall and decomposition processes (Somarriba et al., 2004). In agroforestry systems,

litterfall serves as a primary pathway for the return of organic matter and nutrients such as

nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to the soil. These nutrients are critical for maintaining soil

fertility and sustaining long-term agricultural productivity. Additionally, the decomposition of

organic matter enriches soil organic carbon pools, sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide

and contributing to climate change mitigation. The dynamics of litterfall production vary widely

across different ecological and management contexts. Tropical agroforestry systems, such as

coffee plantations, exhibit significant variation in litterfall quality and quantity due to factors

such as shade tree species, stand characteristics and climatic conditions (Kim et al., 2010).

Empirical evidence from studies conducted in Central America and Sub-Saharan Africa

highlights the role of litterfall in sustaining SOC levels, moderating nutrient cycling and

improving soil health (Negash and Starr, 2013). However, research on litterfall dynamics in

Indian coffee agroforestry systems, particularly in the Central Western Ghats, remains limited,

despite their ecological significance and contribution to sustainable coffee cultivation. The

Central Western Ghats offer an ideal setting to study the interplay of shade regimes, litterfall

dynamics and nutrient cycling in coffee agroforestry systems. This region, characterized by

diverse ecological conditions and traditional agroforestry practices, provides a valuable

opportunity to explore how shade management influences litter production, carbon

sequestration and nutrient flux. Seasonal and annual patterns of litterfall production, along

with the decomposition and mineralization processes, directly impact soil fertility and crop

productivity in these systems. Moreover, litter dynamics under varied shade regimes can offer

insights into optimizing coffee agroforestry practices to enhance ecosystem services and

maintain ecological resilience. This study aims to address the existing knowledge gap by

evaluating the leaf litter dynamics and nutrient contributions in arabica coffee agroforestry

systems under varied shade conditions in the Central Western Ghats of India. Specifically, the

research focuses on understanding the seasonal patterns of litterfall production, the associated

carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) inputs to the soil, and the implications of different shade regimes

on nutrient cycling and soil organic matter. By analyzing these dynamics, the study seeks to

provide empirical evidence to support sustainable coffee cultivation practices that balance

productivity with biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. The findings will contribute

to the broader understanding of agroforestry systems’ role in mitigating climate change,

enhancing soil fertility and fostering sustainable agricultural development in tropical coffee- growing regions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Location and Climate

The study was conducted at the Coffee Research Sub Station (CRSS), Chettalli, North Kodagu,

Karnataka (12°23'N, 75°49'E, 950 m AMSL). Weather data for 2022–2023, obtained from the

CRSS Meteorological Observatory, revealed significant deviations in temperature and rainfall

from historical averages. In 2023, the average minimum and maximum temperatures were