Microclimatical variations of a coffee plantation depending on sunlight exposure under the conditions of Sierra Mestra mountains

Main Article Content

E. Velasco

Abstract

Some microclimatic variations of an experimental
coffee plantation, including plots under different shading
management, from deep shade to open sun, were studied.
Seasonal and diurnal patterns of irradiance (global solar
radiation) are given for different levels of exposition, frequency
histograms for mean temperature and vapor pressure deficit
averages, and soil moisture are presented at different times of
the annual cycle. Taking 600 W.m-2 as a threshold, time intervals
are presented with higher irradiance scores than this threshold,
for different shade treatments, including open sun. Mean
values of air temperature were often higher than 24oC, mainly
at open sun; no values for mean vapor pressure deficit over
1.5 kPa were found. Soil moisture levels were almost always
higher than at open sun, the difference between soil moisture
at open sun and general mean-all the plots- being correlated
significantly with the latter value. It is concluded that, from
the point of view of the climatic conditions, it is possible to
manage rather small areas under high irradiance levels at Sierra
Maestra mountains.

Article Details

How to Cite
Velasco, E. (2013). Microclimatical variations of a coffee plantation depending on sunlight exposure under the conditions of Sierra Mestra mountains. Cultivos Tropicales, 22(3), 53–59. Retrieved from https://ediciones.inca.edu.cu/index.php/ediciones/article/view/684
Section
Original Article