Organomineral fertilizer in coffee plant (Coffea arabica L.): Fertilizer levels and application times

Abstract

Coffee (Coffea arábica L.) is a fundamental agricultural commodity in the Brazilian economy, demanding a high amount of nutrients for good vegetative development and productivity. The tested hypothesis was that the use of the organomineral fertilizer promotes coffee production and development due to the greater availability of N, P, and K in the soil. The objective of this study was: (i) to monitor the use efficiency of the organomineral fertilizer rates; (ii) to determine the coffee production and development with the organomineral application. A study was developed with applications of four organomineral rates (75%, 100%, 125%, and 150% of the recommended P2O5 rate), three forms of parceling (one, two, and three applications of the organomineral fertilizer), and one control (100% mineral). Yield, soil, leaves, and plant development were monitored. Results showed that organomineral presented a win-win scenario with adequate disposal of residues and sources of nutrients in agriculture promoting the coffee yield from 49.5 (mineral fertilizers) to 53.5 sc ha-1 (100% of P2O5 in organomineral). The plant height, the diameter of the stem, and the canopy presented a quadratic response to organomineral rates with optimal rates fitted at 127; 140; and 140 %, respectively, but there was no direct effect on yield. The split organomineral applications promoted the contents of P and K in the soil, mainly when associated with higher organomineral rates. The K efficiency use was increased with organomineral application indicating the K was used with more efficiency.