Optimizing Shade Management And Fertilizer Application To Enhance Vegetative Growth Of Liberica Coffee

Liberica coffee (Coffea liberica) has high potential for cultivation on marginal lands due to its tolerance to flooding, low pH, and high humidity. However, its productivity remains low because of limited agronomic innovations, particularly in shade management and fertilizer practices. This research is significant because unshaded cultivation can enhance photosynthesis but increases climate stress and photorespiration, whereas excessive shade reduces productivity. This study aimed to analyze the effects of Leucaena leucocephala shade density and NPK fertilizer dosage on vegetative growth of Liberica coffee and to determine the most efficient and sustainable combination. The research was conducted in Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI), Jember (June-September 2024) using a nested design with two factors: shade density (no shade, 1:2, 1:1) and NPK dosage (400–700 g tree⁻¹). Observed variables included leaf area, number of leaves, internode length, number of nodes, leaf greenness index, and stomatal density. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD test at a 5% significance level. Thirty-six experimental plots were analyzed. NPK dosage had no significant effect on most variables, except stomatal density in the second and third months. Moderate shade (1:2 and 1:1) produced larger leaf areas (8637– 8927 cm²), higher leaf numbers (243.4 leaves), and greener leaves compared to no-shade conditions. The unshaded treatment consistently showed the lowest growth across all parameters. Findings indicate that shade management plays a more critical role than fertilizer dosage in improving photosynthetic efficiency and maintaining water balance. Moderate shade (1:2 or 1:1) is recommended to achieve optimal vegetative growth, while fertilizer dosages can be reduced for efficiency (600 g without shade, 500 g under 1:2, 400 g under 1:1). Future research should explore dynamic shade management and organic nutrient integration.