Agroforestry Effects On the Incidence of Coffee Stem Borers and Quality of Arabica Coffee Along the Slopes of Mountain Elgon, Eastern Uganda

Hiisa Samuel; Kateregga Abdul Karim

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.84405

Agroforestry Effects On the Incidence of Coffee Stem Borers and Quality of Arabica Coffee Along the Slopes of Mountain Elgon, Eastern Uganda

Author(s)	Mr. Hiisa Samuel, Mr. Kateregga Abdul Karim
Country	Uganda
Abstract	The study entitled “agroforestry effects on the incidence of coffee stem borers and quality of Arabica coffee along slopes of mountain Elgon, eastern Uganda was guided by the following objectives; (1) to identify and document commonly used shade tree species in Kapchorwa district; (2) to determine the incidence of white coffee stem borers in open and shaded coffee plantations along mountain Elgon slopes in Kapchorwa district and (3) to compare the quality of coffee beans from non-infected and infected coffee plants in open areas and shaded areas. Studies conducted worldwide show divergent findings either in favour of or against tree shading in coffee fields. Most debates are related for example; to increased or decreased entomological and or pathological incidences where as others are related to intensity of coffee tree fruiting (yield) and evenness of ripening and maturity duration. The relationship between tree shading and incidence of white coffee stem borers (Monochamus leuconotus) (Pascoe) and quality of Arabica coffee along the slopes of Mountain Elgon, Eastern Uganda was assessed in this study. The identified common shade tree species included Peresea americana,Cordia Africana,Grevillea robusta, Ficus species, Markhamia lutea and Polyscius fulva. Borer incidences were determined based on signs of ring barking. Higher borer incidences were recorded in shaded (575 plants) than open (550 plants) environments from a total sample of 2000 plants though both shaded and open plants were averagely affected, with a magnitude of 100% of all sampled farms but with varying levels of pest incidences that ranged between 20 to 92.5%. Samples were processed using the wet pulping-fermentation-drying and de-husking method, total solids by AOAC method, and sensory evaluation by SCAA Protocol. Slightly higher caffeine, sucrose and acidity contents were found in open than shaded plant samples. Selected shade tree species by local communities should be recommended along the slopes of mountain Elgon with much emphasis on canopy management to minimize risks of micro climates creation which may favour pest and disease build up and thus, compromising coffee quality. The valuation was not significant for caffeine content of healthy plants in both shaded and open environment as t calculated was zero and thus less than t tabulated (1.96) and the reverse was true for infested trees in both shaded and open environments where the valuations were significant at P=0.003. For acidity, the valuations were significant in both healthy shaded and healthy open plants and the same applied to infested plants in shaded and open environments respectively, since the calculated (t=2.120 values were greater than the (t=1.96) tabulated values at 0.5 (95%) confidence interval with P = 0.562. For total solids, the valuations were also significant in both healthy shaded and healthy open plants and the same applied to infested plants in shaded and open environment respectively, since the calculated (t=3.456) values were also greater than the (t=1.96) tabulated values at 0.5 (95%) confidence interval with P= 0.384. The valuation was not significant for caffeine content of healthy plants in both shaded and open environment as t calculated was zero and thus less than t tabulated (1.96) and the reverse was true for infested trees in both shaded and open environments where the valuations were significant at P=0.003. For acidity, the valuations were significant in both healthy shaded and healthy open plants and the same applied to infested plants in shaded and open environments respectively, since the calculated (t=2.120 values were greater than the (t=1.96) tabulated values at 0.5 (95%) confidence interval with P = 0.562. For total solids, the valuations were also significant in both healthy shaded and healthy open plants and the same applied to infested plants in shaded and open environment respectively, since the calculated (t=3.456) values were also greater than the (t=1.96) tabulated values at 0.5 (95%) confidence interval with P= 0.38.
Keywords	Agroforestry ,Incidence , Coffee Stem Borers, Arabica Coffee, Slopes of Mountain Elgon,
Field	Biology > Bio + Chemistry
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-07
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.84405

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Agroforestry Effects On the Incidence of Coffee Stem Borers and Quality of Arabica Coffee Along the Slopes of Mountain Elgon, Eastern Uganda

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