Evaluating the Impact of Shade Patterns on Quality, Bean Grades, Caffeine Content and Yield of Arabica Coffee (Coffea Arabica L.) in the Western Ghats of India

Coffee is a significant commercial crop in India, predominantly grown in the southern states, with the Western Ghats playing a pivotal role due to their unique biodiversity and climate. This two-year study (2022-2023 harvesting seasons) evaluated the performance of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) under four distinct shade patterns: two-tier native species, mixed species (native and exotic), exotic species (Grevillea robusta), and unshaded conditions. Conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications, the study assessed the impact of shade management on quality attributes, bean grades, caffeine content and yield. Coffee cultivated under native and mixed species shade exhibited significantly higher proportions of premium-grade beans (84.83% and 84.00%, respectively), improved sensory attributes, and enhanced caffeine content (1.17% and 1.13%, respectively), compared to unshaded conditions. Native shade systems yielded the highest total cup score (75.33) and clean coffee yield (986.65 kg ha -1 ), highlighting the positive impact of shade on fruit quality, ripening uniformity, and chemical composition. Conversely, unshaded coffee showed poorer quality, lower yields, and increased stress due to direct sunlight. These findings emphasize the role of shade in optimizing coffee quality and yield while maintaining sustainability and biodiversity in agroforestry systems.