Assessment of fire engulfed coffee plantation for revitalization and proper future management

Abstract

Understanding the impact of fire in respect to loss of plantations, alteration in micro ecosystem, destruction of soil microorganisms and  loss of soil fertility is very germane. Hence, this study centered on the assessment of coffee germplasm plot engulfed with fire for  possible revitalization and recommendations for future management. The coffee plot was divided into burned and unburned sections for  soil and coffee leaf samples collection. The soil samples were analyzed for the textural composition, the bacteria and fungi population  count, organic C, pH, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Al⁺3H⁺ , ECEC, BS, Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn contents using standard methods. The coffee leaf samples  were analyzed for the 9-C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn contents. Results indicated that fire outbreak resulted to reduced  microbial population counts for the burned section. However, the soil pH was slightly acidic for the unburned plot while it was slightly  alkaline for the burned plot. The soil organic C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents of the burned section were higher than values obtained for  the unburned section. However, the soil N, P, K, Ca, and Mg contents of the unburned section as well as the N, K and Mg contents of the  burned section were all below their corresponding critical levels. Hence, the coffee plot soils were considered low in most of the  nutrients. This indicated that sustainable coffee production could only be guaranteed with the rational application of fertilizers. Application of manures at 5tones/ha is recommended to build up the soil organic C, soil microbes and nutrients supply. However, it is  advised that planting of improved coffee cultivars to replace the fire damaged stands, a 3-meter perimeter fire tracing and good farm  sanitation should be taken into consideration in the planation revitalization as extension guide on the farmers.