Research methods for multistrata agroforestry systems with coffee and cacao: recommendations from two decades of research at CATIE |
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| Authors: | Somarriba E Beer J Muschler R G |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Agroforestry and Watershed Management, Apdo 44, 7170 CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica;(2) CATIE/GTZ, Apdo 126, 7170 CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica |
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| Abstract: | This paper reviews the research themes and methodologies used by CATIE in agroforestry research with shade trees over coffee
(Coffea arabica) and cacao (Theobroma cacao) during the past 20 years. Initially research focused on characterization and production studies (of crop and timber including
border areas) of traditional systems using temporary and permanent sample plots on private farms. The assessment area of traditional
shade-coffee (or cacao) systems should be the whole plot, including the border areas, and not some subjectively selected central
area which supposedly represents unit area productivity. Uncontrolled crop, tree, and management heterogeneity limited extrapolation
of early on-farm research results to other farmers' fields. Replicated case studies of best bet technologies (traditional
or experimental) on different farms are often preferable to the use of formal experimental designs. On-station research included
the use of systematic spacing designs to test extreme shade tree density treatments of coffee. Most nutrient cycling studies
were also carried out on-station, using service and timber shade species over coffee and cacao to evaluate the ability of
these agroforestry systems to maintain nutrient reserves and diversify production. Plot size (even 36 × 36 m) was limiting
for long term research because of inter-plot interference, both below- and above ground, when using fast growing, tall timber
trees as shade. These experiences suggest a minimum plot size of 2,500 m2. Individual tree designs and tree-crop interface studies (e.g. regression analysis of data taken along transects) are promising
experimental/sampling approaches that need further development. The principal research thrusts proposed for the next five
years are bio-physical process research on coffee responses to shade and competition with trees (growth, carbon allocation,
phenology, disease-pest tolerance, yields and coffee quality effects) and socioeconomic analyses of both traditional and new
or improved shade – coffee combinations vs. monocultures.
This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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| Keywords: | experimental designs on-farm research sampling criteria shade trees |
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