Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited (NFJ) in answering to the need for better soil care for our coffee farmers developed a specialized blend of fertilizer called “Coffee Lizer.” We are particularly proud of our Coffee Lizer because we created a targeted product for the coffee sector, geared towards giving our farmers a better option, with the right nutrients to be applied at the right time and at the right rate. It is a product that was designed to prevent and correct soil nutrient deficiency when used as a part of a balanced fertilizer program; an approach that is in keeping with our Precise Nutrient Management System (PNMS) which seeks to deliver only the required amount of nutrients to the crop.
Research
Having the privilege of working with the Jamaican coffee farmers for over a decade, NFJ had the opportunity to identify some of the major challenges that the coffee sector faced. One such challenge had to do with the overall nutritional status of the soil in the major coffee growing areas. Our research and findings spanned three (3) years which were derived from farm visits, soil testing and the results obtained from the tests. The analyses from extensive sampling showed significant deficiencies in Calcium and Magnesium as well as Boron and Zinc. We also took into consideration that hilly terrains and high precipitation caused soil erosion and significant loss of organic matter. It is
known, Nitrogen is highly volatile and is easily leeched, and therefore it is important that the plant which is a perennial crop gets the element of Nitrogen that is suitable throughout its lifecycle.
What is in the bag?
In order to achieve greater level of productivity all essential nutrition elements must be present. Whilst the mega nutrients (Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen) are readily accessible from the air and soil water Coffee Lizer has both macro (primary and secondary) and micro nutrients which are broken down as follows:
The primary macronutrients are Nitrogen (N), Prosperous (P) and Potassium (K). The secondary macronutrients are Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Sulphur (S). The micronutrients are Zinc (ZN), and Boron (B). These essential nutrients play a critical role throughout the lifecycle of the crop. FERSAN’s Coffee Lizer (14 – 7 – 21 – S + Mg (DDP) + Ca (DDP) + Zn + B (DDP) + HA) was formulated in response to findings about the general trends relating to nutrient deficiencies. There are several distinct features of the Coffee Lizer blend when compared to traditional blends, these include: rapid and slow-release Nitrogen which caters to the need for Nitrogen over both a shorter and longer period; Magnesium and Calcium which addresses yellowing of the leaves; Boron and Zinc which is important for fruit set and elongation of stems. It must be noted that the DDP formulation is our patented technology which is designed to coat every prill/grain of the NPK. This allows for a more homogenous spread of the fertilizer which is also more bioavailable. The Humic Acid as our organic matter improves the water holding capacity of the soil and general soil structure.
Four (4) R’s
To ensure the best results for any crop, the correct application of fertilizer is required. At NFJ we preach the 4 Rs’: The right source which speaks to the formulation of the blend; in the case of Coffee Lizer it is 14 – 7 – 21 – S + Mg(DDP)+Ca(DDP + Zn(DDP)+B(DDP)+HA. We recommend eight (8) ounces of Coffee Lizer per tree per year and this we call the right rate. The right time to apply fertilizer is four (4) ounces per tree before flowering and four (4) ounces per tree during fruit development. The right place to apply the fertilizer is in a shallow furrow around the tree along the outer edges of the canopy which is also called the ‘leaf drip circle.’ If applying on a hill, the fertilizer should be placed in a semi-circle inside the slope.
FERSAN’s Coffee-Lizer is designed for application to coffee trees for the prevention and correction of soil nutrient deficiency when used as part of a balanced fertility program. Optimum rate of application will vary depending on properties (such as pH, organic matter, texture, weather conditions, time of year, general crop health and crop species. For best results, follow soil test or plant analysis recommendation.
Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited 