Obtaining and Validating High-Density Coffee Yield Data

Abstract

Coffee producers are ever more interested in understanding the dynamics of coffee’s spatial and temporal variability. However, it is necessary to obtain high-density yield data for decision-making. The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of yield data obtained through a yield monitor onboard a coffee harvester, as well as to evaluate the potential of the data collected over three harvests. The yield monitor validation data showed a high correlation (above R2 0.968) when compared with the data obtained by a wagon instrumented with load cells. It was also possible to obtain yield maps for three consecutive seasons, allowing the identification of their internal variability, as well as classifying regions that show alternating yield patterns between years as the expression of the biennial yield behavior manifested inside and along the field, in addition to the spatial variability. This result indicates that, in addition to knowing the spatial yield variability, the biennial variance information must also be considered in the strategies for site-specific management. Regions that presented high yield variance should be alternated according to the productive year (high and low yield) and not only in consideration of their yield variability as on the regions with more stable yield behavior over time. The use of yield data can help the producer make more assertive decisions for crop and farm management.