EFFECTS OF INTERCROPPING YOUNG PLANTS OF THE COMPACT ARABICA COFFEE HYBRID CULTIVAR RUIRU-11 WITH POTATOES, TOMATOES, BEANS AND MAIZE ON COFFEE YIELDS AND ECONOMIC RETURNS IN KENYA

The effects of intercropping young plants of the compact arabica coffe e hybrid cultivar Ruiru 11 with potatoes, tomatoes, maize and Phascolu s (dry) beans were studied between 1987 and 1989 at Ruiru in Kenya. Yi elds of clean (hulled) coffee were reduced by the maize intercrop by 5 9-100%. Coffee bean size, and raw, roast and liquor quality were not s ignificantly affected by the potato, tomato and bean intercrops, which gave positive net economic benefits. Potatoes planted between all the coffee rows gave the largest marginal rate of economic return, follow ed by tomatoes in combination with beans. The technically and economic ally viable intercrops for coffee were potatoes, tomatoes, beans, and tomatoes in combination with beans.