2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Coffee ranks second only to oil as the most important commodity in world trade and is the primary agricultural export for many countries. Coffee (Coffea spp.) is native to Africa where an estimated 100 species are found in diverse geographic and climatic regions. Coffee species vary greatly depending on the region and climate of their origin, resulting in various coffee types with different genetic make-ups, different morphological traits (size and shape of plants, fruits, and growing habits), flavor profiles, tolerance to pests and diseases, and tolerance to drought. Coffee plants adapt and grow well in frost-free microclimates in California from San Luis Obispo to San Diego County. Specialty coffee consumption and the demand for specialty coffees have increased dramatically in the US and the world over the past several years. This trend, combined with increased demand for high value, differentiated agricultural products (local or California grown) and declining profit margins for existing crops, has generated a strong interest in the production of specialty coffee among farmers in Southern California and in coffee as an ornamental, household plant. Replicated field trials using a Randomized Complete Block Design were established at two different geographic locations in Southern California to evaluate the adaptation and performance of a selected number of coffee varieties: (1) An organic trial, under full sun, in monoculture was established at Cal Poly Pomona; and (2) A conventional trial, under shade, in association with cherimoyas was established at the University of California South Coast Research and Extension Center (SCREC) in Irvine, CA . In addition, observation/demonstration trials were established under conventional production systems and in full sun at UC-SCREC in Irvine and in collaboration with several Master Gardener volunteers across Southern California. Preliminary results indicate that coffee grows/adapts very well to growing conditions of select microclimates in the region and could be successfully grown to bear fruit. However, the results also showed that coffee is highly susceptible to extreme weather conditions (strong winds and hot and cold temperatures) and site selection and plant protection are critical for successful establishment and production. This poster/presentation will help illustrate all phases for coffee production from seedbeds to field establishment, summarize results and observations to date and discuss future plans.