Cover Crops, Mulch or Clean Weeding for Coffee (Coffea Arabica) in the Highlands of New Guinea.

Abstract

Treatment aimed at maintaining the soil in good condition for growth and production of coffee involve considerable expense. For instance, Maiden et al, 1961, estimated that weeding and maintenance of a block of 100 acres of mature coffee represent approximately 20 per cent. of the total expenses on the plantation, and this is the most costly operation apart from harvesting. Some system of soil management is therefore required which will ease the financial burden of maintenance, and keep yields at a high level.