Income of Coffee Trees Intercropping during the First Three Years

Abstract

The study on coffee tree intercropping with 4 species of annual cash crops during the first three years was carried out at Nong Hoi Agricultural Highland Research Station, Chiang Mai province during 1997-2000. The following four cash crops were used: Oryza sativa (upland rice), Brassica oleracea (cabbage), Lactuca sativa (head lettuce) and Daucus carota (carrot). It was found that carrot gave and average maximum income of 61,821 Baht./rai wheareas the income of head lettuce, cabbage and upland rice were 23,528 Baht./rai, 18,684 Baht./rai and 6,228 Baht./rai respectively. Statistical analysis showed that cabbage gave higher yield than carrot, head lettuce and upland rice but the income was fluctuated upto saling price, so carrot gave higher income than head lettuce, cabbage and upland rice, respectively. Intercropping arabica coffee with cash crops resulted in a reduction of the height of coffee tree but had no effect on number of primary branches, stem diameter, number of node and coffee yield.