Acacia Spp. as Shade Trees for Coffee

Abstract

In the Northern Province of Tanganyika it is generally held the Arabica coffee, particularly at the medium and lower elevations, does better and gives consistently higher yields when grown under light shade. There is less danger of over-bearing with consequent die-back, the incidence of insects pests such as Thrips and White Stem-borer (Anthores leuconotus) is usually less and weeding costs are generally far lower in shaded coffee especially if weeds such as Couch (Digitatia scalarum) or water-Grass (Cyperus rotundus) are present in the area.