Understanding the role of creatures in coffee cultivation

Coffee plants are relatively fragile and provide a nutrient source that is irresistible to various types of insects. Some view coffee plants as food, while others use them to build nests for their offspring. Researchers have identified hundreds of insects and organisms that can harm coffee plants, including fungi, birds, snails, and more. Among them, the most notorious are beetles and fruit borers, estimated to cause about $500 million in damage to coffee farms each year.

Here are some representatives of organisms that cause concern for farmers due to their ability to damage coffee plants:

* Aphids

– Green scales and brown scales:

Coffee plants affected by green scales and brown scales often exhibit poor growth and are accompanied by the presence of various ant species and black mold fungus. Tender shoots, young leaves, and immature fruit are often heavily damaged by scales, leading to extensive coverage of black mold fungus, which greatly reduces photosynthetic capacity.

– Fruit-sucking scales:

Coffee plants affected by fruit-sucking scales on clusters of fruit often become stunted and underdeveloped. It’s common to observe a significant amount of black mold fungus covering fruit clusters, fruit-bearing branches, and coffee leaves. Severe infestations of scales cause coffee leaves to turn yellow, and the coffee fruits gradually dry up and fall off in large numbers.

– Root-sucking scales:

Coffee plants affected by root-sucking scales often show symptoms of very poor growth and development, with yellowing and gradual leaf loss. The root system of coffee plants heavily affected by root-sucking scales can develop “mangrove-like” structures around the main and feeder roots.

* Borer insects

– Fruit borers:

Coffee fruits affected by borers often have a small round hole near the stem or in the middle of the fruit. The embryonic seed of the coffee bean is hollowed out by the larvae, turning black and showing small grooves for the mature borers to lay eggs. Typically, coffee fruits affected by borers will lose an entire seed. However, in cases of high borer density, both seeds may be lost.

– Stem borers:

Coffee branches affected by stem borers typically go through three stages: (1) Triangular scale covers on the joints of blackened coffee branches, with a few pairs of leaves near the hole dropping towards the branch tip; (2) Borer-affected branches show signs of withering, with only a few pairs of leaves at the branch tip; (3) Dead, dried-out branches.

* Leaf miners

Coffee plants affected by leaf miners, leading to yellowing and stunting, often have a large number of small holes beneath the coffee canopy (> 500 holes/drum). Symptoms caused by severe leaf miner infestations can easily be mistaken for nutrient deficiency and root rot yellow disease if only coffee canopy observation is relied upon.

To prevent the harmful effects of organisms, besides using chemical pesticides which come with notable limitations such as human health impacts and environmental pollution, farmers can utilize the very enemies of these pests. With proper knowledge and understanding of each organism’s characteristics, people can establish a balanced ecosystem that protects coffee plants while being environmentally and human-friendly.

Scientists have pointed out several measures to enhance the benefits of organisms in coffee cultivation – controlling harmful species and creating a diverse ecosystem that supports plant growth.

Using insects to control pests

In nature, insect species exist in competitive and supportive relationships. We can utilize this competitive aspect as a natural solution to address the issue of insect pests damaging crops. This was demonstrated in the experiment below, where we released ground beetles.

Scientists at the University of Hawaii conducted an experiment where ground beetles were introduced into farms in the region to control coffee berry borers – a small beetle originating from Africa that bores into coffee berries to feed on the seeds. If left uncontrolled, this tiny creature can devastate entire coffee farms. To address this issue in an eco-friendly and effective manner, scientists immediately thought of the natural enemies of coffee berry borers – ground beetles. Before conducting this experiment, they studied ground beetles for many years to determine if they would harm other plants on the farm. The results showed that ground beetles only attacked coffee berry borers and insects belonging to the same family. This intrigued many farmers because it is a very cost-effective and easy-to-use solution.

Building a green ecosystem

Shade-grown coffee model

The ecosystem plays a crucial role, directly influencing the growth of coffee plants. To produce coffee batches of standard quality and yield, it’s essential to create a suitable environment. We have seen many farms apply this by protecting their coffee plants, for example, by growing coffee under shade trees.

Not only beneficial for coffee plants, but ecosystems also nurture “good” organisms. From there, they help control and eliminate harmful pests. But how can farms become more insect-friendly?

Entomologist Juan Francisco Barrera Gaytán from El Colegio de la Frontera Sur in Tapachula, Mexico, emphasized the importance of reducing chemical usage. According to him, the use of chemicals creates a vicious cycle. While it may kill disease pathogens, it also unintentionally kills beneficial organisms, inadvertently creating conditions for harmful insects to thrive. Farmers will then need more chemicals to deal with this situation. This loop seems challenging to break. In the long run, pests can develop resistance to chemicals, and both the environment and human health suffer significantly.

Thus, a green ecosystem not only protects the farmers who nurture and cultivate on that land but also nurtures beneficial organisms for coffee cultivation.

Organisms have a two-way relationship with crops, so understanding the role of organisms in coffee cultivation will help farmers have a more accurate and safer direction.

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