Composite planting method for three-dimensional ecological caffeine

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of coffee planting, in particular to a composite planting method for a three-dimensional ecological caffey.The method comprises the steps that firstly, landform planning and soil improvement are conducted on a sloping field, and an improved substrate containing a composite microbial agent is applied; secondly, constructing a four-layer composite planting structure comprising an arbor shading layer, a coffee main cropping layer, a composite herbal layer and an earth surface living body covering layer; performing differential water and fertilizer management on each layer, establishing a disease and pest prevention and control system taking biological and physical prevention and control as a core, and realizing resource cyclic utilization of plant residues in the system; by simulating the three-dimensional structure of a natural community, the stability and the self-regulation capability of a park ecosystem are remarkably enhanced, the use of chemical pesticides is effectively reduced, and the comprehensive output benefit of the land is improved while the coffee quality is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of coffee cultivation technology, and in particular to a method for integrated cultivation in a three-dimensional ecological coffee garden. Background Technology

[0002] As a vital global economic crop and beverage ingredient, coffee's cultivation methods directly impact its yield, quality, and ecological sustainability. Traditional coffee plantations often employ monoculture or simple intercropping models, aiming to maximize short-term yields through intensive management. This singular cultivation approach leads to a fragile ecosystem within the plantation.

[0003] The lack of a single plant community structure prevents the formation of an effective ecological balance, leading to a significant increase in the incidence of pests and diseases in coffee plantations. To control these pests and diseases, growers are forced to rely heavily on chemical pesticides, which not only increases production costs but also causes a series of chain reactions, including pesticide residues, soil pollution, and ecological damage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a three-dimensional ecological coffee garden integrated planting method, which solves the problems of frequent pests and diseases, over-reliance on chemical pesticides, soil degradation, and low overall benefits caused by the single-system planting model due to the single ecosystem structure and insufficient biodiversity.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a method for integrated planting in a three-dimensional ecological coffee garden, comprising the following steps: The slope is planned topographically, planting strips are set along contour lines, and the soil of the planting strips is improved by applying a soil improvement substrate composed of decomposed organic matter, mineral conditioner and compound microbial agent. A four-layer composite planting structure was constructed on the improved planting belt. The structure includes an upper tree shade layer, a middle coffee main crop layer, a lower composite herb layer, and a living cover layer on the ground surface. Differentiated water and fertilizer management shall be implemented for the tree shade layer, coffee main crop layer, composite herb layer and living cover layer; Establish an ecological pest and disease control system with biological and physical control as its core; Implement material recycling within the system, and utilize plant pruning materials and harvest residues as resources.

[0006] The specific steps for constructing a four-layer composite planting structure include: Nitrogen-fixing deciduous trees are planted at intervals of 5-10 meters along the edge of the planting strip or at predetermined points to form the tree shade layer. Below the tree shade layer, coffee trees are planted in a double-row staggered manner to form the main coffee crop layer; Between the rows of coffee trees, a composite herbaceous layer consisting of at least one insect-repelling plant and at least one nitrogen-fixing green manure plant is intercropped. In the area of ​​the ground excluding the planting sites, creeping perennial herbaceous plants are planted to form the living cover.

[0007] When planting the nitrogen-fixing deciduous trees, a layer of well-rotted straw with a thickness of 10-15 cm is laid at the bottom of the planting pit; the nitrogen-fixing deciduous trees are selected from species of the genera Albizia, Acacia, or Alder.

[0008] The specifications for the double-row staggered planting are as follows: the row spacing between two adjacent rows of coffee trees is 1.2-1.5 meters, the strip spacing between two adjacent strips of coffee trees is 2.0-2.5 meters, and the plant spacing between coffee trees is 0.8-1.2 meters.

[0009] The insect-repellent plant is selected from basil or mint, and the nitrogen-fixing green manure plant is selected from alfalfa or white clover.

[0010] The soil amendment substrate contains a compound microbial agent comprising Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus spp., and Rhizobium, with a total effective viable count of not less than 500 million / gram.

[0011] Specifically, the differentiated water and fertilizer management includes: For the main crop layer of coffee, topdressing should be applied four times within the annual cycle according to the four key phenological stages: budding stage, fruit enlargement stage, early maturity stage, and post-harvest before overwintering. Apply well-rotted organic fertilizer 1-2 times during the growing season to the compound herbaceous layer and living mulch layer; and control the soil moisture content within 60%-75% of field capacity through a drip irrigation system.

[0012] The recycling of materials within the system includes methods such as directly returning the pruned material from the tree shade layer and coffee main crop layer to the field after crushing it or composting it, and using part of the harvested material from the composite herbaceous layer as green manure or feed.

[0013] This invention discloses a three-dimensional ecological coffee garden composite planting method. By constructing a four-layer composite planting system with specific spatial structure and functional configuration, it achieves multiple beneficial effects: First, the tree shading layer creates a suitable microclimate, which can improve the accumulation of flavor substances in coffee beans; second, the combination of insect-repelling and nitrogen-fixing plants in the composite herbaceous layer achieves the dual functions of ecological control and soil improvement, significantly reducing the amount of chemical pesticides used; then, the living mulch layer can effectively suppress weeds and conserve water and soil; finally, the material recycling within the system significantly improves nutrient utilization efficiency. This method fundamentally enhances the stability and self-regulation capacity of the ecosystem, significantly improving coffee quality and the overall economic benefits of the park while reducing production costs, providing an innovative solution for sustainable coffee cultivation. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the three-dimensional ecological coffee garden composite planting method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, but should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0017] Please see Figure 1 ,in Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the integrated planting method for vertical ecological coffee gardens.

[0018] This invention provides a method for integrated planting in a three-dimensional ecological coffee garden, comprising the following steps: S1: Conduct topographic planning for the slope, set up planting strips along contour lines, and improve the soil of the planting strips by applying a soil improvement substrate composed of decomposed organic matter, mineral conditioner and compound microbial agent.

[0019] Specifically, in the soil amendment substrate, the compound microbial agent includes Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mucilaginosa, and Rhizobium, with a total effective viable count of not less than 500 million / gram.

[0020] In this embodiment, the preparation process of the soil amendment substrate is as follows: fully decomposed livestock and poultry manure or compost is selected as the main source of the decomposed organic matter to ensure that it is stable, harmless and rich in organic nutrients; the mineral conditioner is a mixture of perlite and vermiculite in equal proportions to improve the physical structure of the soil and enhance its aeration and water retention capacity; the compound microbial agent is a commercially available or specially cultivated finished product that meets the above requirements for bacterial composition and viable cell count.

[0021] Before application, the well-rotted organic matter, mineral conditioner, and compound microbial agent are mixed evenly on-site at a mass ratio of (90-95):(5-9):(0.1-1). After tilling the planned planting strip to a depth of 30-40 cm, the mixed soil amendment substrate is evenly spread on the surface and thoroughly mixed with the top 15-20 cm of soil by rotary tillage or harrowing. This step aims to create a rhizosphere microenvironment with good fertility, loose structure, and rich in beneficial bacteria, laying the foundation for the subsequent construction of complex plant communities.

[0022] S2: Construct a four-layer composite planting structure on the improved planting belt. The structure includes an arbor shading layer at the upper layer, a coffee main crop layer at the middle layer, a composite herb layer at the lower layer, and a living mulch layer on the ground surface.

[0023] Specifically, S21: At the edge of the planting belt or preset points, fix nitrogen-fixing deciduous trees at an interval of 5 - 10 meters to form the arbor shading layer.

[0024] When fixing the nitrogen-fixing deciduous trees, lay a layer of well-rotted straw with a thickness of 10 - 15 cm at the bottom of the planting pit; the nitrogen-fixing deciduous trees are selected from tree species of the genus Albizia, Acacia or Alnus.

[0025] In this embodiment, along the planned contour line, determine the "pin" - shaped planting points in the east - west row direction with a spacing of 6 meters; dig a planting hole with a specification of 80 cm in length, width and depth. Lay about 12 cm thick, thoroughly well - rotted straw (such as corn stalks or sugarcane residues) at the bottom of the hole, and then backfill the surface soil mixed with 5 - 8 kg of well - rotted organic fertilizer to half of the hole; select 1 - 2 - year - old, robust and root - complete container seedlings of Paraserianthes falcataria or Cassia siamea for planting; when planting, ensure that the seedlings are upright, the roots are stretched out, backfill and compact in layers, pour through the root - fixing water, and set up a support on the upwind side for fixation; the selected arbors grow rapidly and have strong nitrogen - fixing ability. The canopy formed quickly can provide a preliminary shading environment for the lower - layer coffee and start to input nutrients into the system through fallen leaves and root nitrogen fixation.

[0026] S22: Under the arbor shading layer, fix coffee trees in a double - row staggered manner to form the coffee main crop layer.

[0027] Specifically, the specifications of the double - row staggered planting are: the row spacing between adjacent two rows of coffee trees is 1.2 - 1.5 meters, the belt spacing between adjacent two belts of coffee trees is 2.0 - 2.5 meters, and the plant spacing of coffee trees is 0.8 - 1.2 meters.

[0028] In this embodiment, after the arbor layer is fixed and survives and grows for one growing season, carry out the following under the preliminarily formed shading condition; adopt a double - row staggered close - planting mode: take adjacent two rows of coffee trees as a planting belt, set the in - belt row spacing (small row spacing) to 1.4 meters, the distance between the center lines of adjacent two belts (belt spacing) is 2.3 meters, and the plant spacing is 0.9 meters; dig a planting ditch with a depth and width of 50 cm along the belt, apply well - rotted organic fertilizer as the base fertilizer in the planting ditch and mix it with the soil; select small - bean coffee (such as Sarchimor series) bag - removed nutrient - bowl seedlings adapted to the shading environment and with strong disease resistance, and plant them staggeredly in the ditch according to the set plant spacing; immediately water thoroughly after planting and cover the tree disk. This mode maximizes the number of coffee plants in a limited space, while maintaining good ventilation and light transmission, which is convenient for later management and harvesting.

[0029] S23: Intercropping the coffee tree rows with the composite herbaceous layer consisting of at least one insect-repelling plant and at least one nitrogen-fixing green manure plant.

[0030] Specifically, the insect-repelling plant is selected from basil or mint, and the nitrogen-fixing green manure plant is selected from alfalfa or white clover.

[0031] In this embodiment, planting strips 1 meter wide are cleared between the rows of coffee trees (i.e., the narrow row spacing of 1.4 meters). A mixed sowing method is used, in which basil seeds (a pest-repelling plant) and alfalfa seeds (a nitrogen-fixing green manure plant) are mixed at a weight ratio of 1:4 and evenly sown in the strips. The mixture is then covered with 1-2 cm of soil and lightly compacted. The volatile terpenes emitted by basil can effectively repel some pests, while the well-developed root system of alfalfa can fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphorus, and improve the physical structure of the soil. This herbaceous layer can be harvested regularly according to its growth, and the harvested material can be directly used as a base layer for coffee trees or as green manure in the orchard.

[0032] S24: Plant creeping perennial herbaceous plants in the ground surface area other than the plant planting points to form the living cover layer.

[0033] In this implementation, after the planting of trees, coffee, and herbaceous strips is completed, the remaining bare ground surface in the entire park (including the large row spacing of coffee trees and the spaces between trees) is fully covered. Shade-tolerant, creeping, and highly cover-forming peanut is selected. The seeds are sown by broadcasting, mixing them with a small amount of fine sand and broadcasting them evenly. The seeds are then gently raked to ensure contact with the soil. If necessary, non-woven fabric can be used to cover the soil to retain moisture and promote seedling growth. Peanut can quickly form a dense evergreen ground cover layer 5-10 cm thick, effectively inhibiting the germination of other weed seeds and significantly reducing soil erosion and surface water evaporation.

[0034] S3: Implement differentiated water and fertilizer management for the tree shade layer, coffee main crop layer, composite herb layer and living cover layer.

[0035] Specifically, the differentiated water and fertilizer management includes: For the main crop layer of coffee, topdressing should be applied four times within the annual cycle according to the four key phenological stages: budding stage, fruit enlargement stage, early maturity stage, and post-harvest before overwintering. Apply well-rotted organic fertilizer 1-2 times during the growing season to the compound herbaceous layer and living mulch layer; and control the soil moisture content within 60%-75% of field capacity through a drip irrigation system.

[0036] In this implementation, for the main coffee crop layer, topdressing is applied according to the four key phenological stages within its annual cycle. During the spring budding stage, high-nitrogen water-soluble fertilizer is applied via drip irrigation or high-nitrogen organic-inorganic compound fertilizer is applied in trenches along the outer edge of the canopy projection to promote bud and shoot growth. Secondly, during the fruit enlargement stage, a high-phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer is applied, focusing on supplementing potassium and calcium to promote the accumulation of dry matter in the fruit. Subsequently, after harvest, a deep application of organic heavy fertilizer, primarily composed of well-rotted farmyard manure, is made along the planting strip to restore tree vigor and improve soil fertility. Finally, before winter, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is applied in holes to enhance the plant's cold resistance. For the composite herbaceous layer and the living mulch layer, well-rotted and finely crushed organic fertilizer is applied only once each spring and autumn during the peak growing season to maintain their normal growth and ecological functions. The water supply for the entire plantation is uniformly regulated through a pre-installed drip irrigation system. The spacing between drippers is matched with the spacing between coffee plants, and the flow rate is set at 2-4 liters / hour. Through soil moisture monitoring or timed irrigation, the soil moisture content in the main root zone is continuously maintained within 60%-75% of field capacity. This achieves efficient and precise management of water and fertilizer synergy, ensuring high-quality coffee production while maintaining the nutrient balance and efficient water use of the entire ecosystem.

[0037] S4: Establish an ecological pest control system with biological and physical control as its core.

[0038] In this implementation, firstly, an ecological repellency barrier is formed by volatile substances released from insect-repelling plants such as basil in the composite herbaceous layer, and the microenvironment formed by the tree shade layer and the living cover layer is used to conserve natural enemy populations such as spiders, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps. Secondly, active biological control is implemented. When the population density of target pests such as coffee spider mites is monitored to increase, commercial natural enemy products such as amblyseius cucumeris, heterocerca natans, or tubular parasitic wasps are artificially released at the early stage of occurrence, choosing cloudy days or evenings to increase the colonization rate. Then, one solar-powered frequency-vibration insecticidal lamp is installed every 2-3 acres, suspended at a height higher than the coffee plantation. The coffee tree canopy is 1 meter high to attract and kill adult phototactic pests such as lepidopterans. At the same time, yellow and blue sticky traps are evenly hung in the orchard at a density of 15-20 traps per acre to trap and monitor small pests such as aphids and thrips. Pests are monitored through regular inspections of the above physical devices and field observations. Only when non-biological means cannot control the pests and may cause significant economic losses will environmentally compatible pesticides such as azadirachtin and mineral oil be used for precise local intervention. This will minimize the use of chemically synthesized pesticides and continuously control pests and diseases below the level of economic harm, ensuring the safety of coffee production and the stability of the ecosystem.

[0039] S5: Implement material recycling within the system, and utilize plant pruning materials and harvest residues as resources.

[0040] Specifically, the recycling of materials within the system includes methods such as directly returning the pruned material from the tree shade layer and coffee main crop layer to the field after crushing it or composting it, and using part of the harvested material from the composite herbaceous layer as green manure or feed.

[0041] In this embodiment, the pruning materials (including thinning and trunk cutting of trees and fruiting branches and vigorous shoots of coffee) generated from the shading layer of trees and the main coffee crop layer are collected in a concentrated manner during the off-season from the end of coffee harvest to the beginning of spring budding. The pruning materials are shredded on-site using a portable branch shredder. The resulting debris is used in two ways: first, as organic material directly returned to the field, it is evenly spread on the ground within the projection range of the coffee tree canopy in spring, combined with shallow or medium cultivation in the orchard, forming a cover layer of about 5-8 cm thick, which is then allowed to decompose naturally; second, it is used for centralized composting. A high-lying, sheltered, and sunny site is selected, and the debris is mixed with well-rotted manure and weeds cleared from the orchard in a volume ratio of 5:3:2, and inoculated with the aforementioned compound microbial agent. The mixture is piled into a 1.5-meter-high and 2-meter-wide stack, and through regular turning and moisture control, it is allowed to fully decompose within 3-6 months. The resulting high-quality organic fertilizer is returned to the system for use as base fertilizer or top dressing for coffee.

[0042] For the compound herbaceous layer (basil and alfalfa), it can be harvested 2-3 times a year depending on its growth vigor, with a stubble height of 5-10 cm. About one-third of the fresh harvested material is used as green manure, directly incorporated into the soil between adjacent coffee rows, or used as a base layer for the coffee trees. The remaining two-thirds, rich in protein, can be dried or ensiled for use as livestock feed, thus achieving a paid export of nutrients to the outside world or for use in the plantation's livestock development. This allows for efficient conversion and recycling of plant residues throughout the coffee plantation, significantly reducing reliance on external fertilizer inputs.

[0043] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely one or more preferred embodiments of this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes for implementing the above embodiments and equivalent changes made in accordance with the claims of this application still fall within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method of complex cultivation of a three-dimensional ecological coffee plantation, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: topographic planning is conducted on the slope land, planting belts are arranged along the contour lines, and the soil of the planting belts is improved, and a soil improvement substrate composed of mature organic matter, mineral conditioner and compound microbial inoculant is applied; a four-layer compound planting structure is constructed on the improved planting belts, which comprises a tree shade layer in the upper layer, a coffee main crop layer in the middle layer, a compound herb layer in the lower layer and a living mulch layer on the ground surface; differential water and fertilizer management is implemented for the tree shade layer, the coffee main crop layer, the compound herb layer and the living mulch layer; an ecological pest control system is established, with biological control and physical control as the core; material recycling within the system is implemented, and plant pruning and harvesting residues are recycled.

2. The method of polyculture of the three-dimensional ecological coffee plantation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The specific steps of constructing the four-layer compound planting structure comprise: nitrogen-fixing deciduous trees are planted at intervals of 5-10 meters at the edges of the planting belts or at preset points to form the tree shade layer; coffee trees are planted in a double-row staggered manner under the tree shade layer to form the coffee main crop layer; the compound herb layer formed by at least one insect-repelling plant and at least one nitrogen-fixing green manure plant is intercropped between the rows of coffee trees; suffocating perennial herbaceous plants are planted on the ground surface except the planting points of the plants to form the living mulch layer.

3. The method of polyculturing of the stereoscopic ecological coffee garden according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the nitrogen-fixing deciduous trees are planted, a 10-15 cm thick layer of mature straw is laid at the bottom of the planting pit; the nitrogen-fixing deciduous trees are selected from the species of the genus Albizia, the genus Mimosa or the genus Alnus.

4. The method of polyculture of the three-dimensional ecological coffee plantation as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The double-row staggered planting has the following specifications: the row spacing between the adjacent two rows of coffee trees is 1.2-1.5 meters, the strip spacing between the adjacent two strips of coffee trees is 2.0-2.5 meters, and the plant spacing of the coffee trees is 0.8-1.2 meters.

5. The method for complex cultivation of the stereoscopic ecological coffee garden according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insect-repelling plants are selected from basil or mint, and the nitrogen-fixing green manure plants are selected from alfalfa or white clover.

6. The method for complex cultivation of the stereoscopic ecological coffee garden according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the soil improvement substrate, the compound microbial inoculant contains Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mycoides and Rhizobium, and the total number of effective viable bacteria is not less than 500 million per gram.

7. The method for complex cultivation of the stereoscopic ecological coffee garden according to claim 1, characterized in that, The differential water and fertilizer management is as follows: for the coffee main crop layer, four topdressing are conducted at the four key phenophases of the annual cycle, i.e., the budding period, the fruit swelling period, the early maturation period and the period before wintering after harvesting; for the compound herb layer and the living mulch layer, 1-2 applications of mature organic fertilizer are made during the growing season, and the soil water content is controlled within the range of 60%-75% of the field water holding capacity through the drip irrigation system.

8. The method for complex cultivation of the stereoscopic ecological coffee garden according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material recycling within the system includes crushing the pruning materials of the tree shade layer and the coffee main crop layer and directly returning them to the field or composting, and using part of the harvested materials of the compound herb layer as green manure or feed.

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