The effect of irrigation on synchronization of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) flowering and berry ripening at Chipinge, Zimbabwe

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is a short day plant that flowers and ripens irregularly in many subtropical and tropical production areas. This results in a prolonged, laborious and tiresome hand harvesting period which can potentially compromise coffee quality. Synchronising or scheduling the ripening of coffee berries can help in reducing harvesting costs through reduction of the number of cycles and harvest trips. This study was carried out to assess the quantity and frequency of irrigation, on stimulation of early, uniform flowering and berry ripening of coffee in order to reduce harvesting trips. High soil moisture depletion (25 cb or 30 cb) followed with increased irrigation levels resulted in increased number of flowers and subsequent number of berries per bunch at given assessment dates. Moisture depletion levels of 25 cb or 30 cb followed by application of 20 l or 25 l of water per tree advanced coffee flowering and subsequent berry ripening in this experiment when compared to other moisture depletion levels followed by application of 15 l of water per tree.