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The influence of several irrigation water depths in the growth and productivity of coffee shrubs in the Muzambinho Region, Southern Minas Gerais, Brazil

2015; Academic Journals; Volume: 10; Issue: 39 Linguagem: Inglês

10.5897/ajar2015.9971

1991-637X

Pedro Alberto da Silva, Adriano Bortolotti da Silva, A.C. Silva, Arionaldo de, José Ricardo Mantovani, Fernando Ferrari Putti,

Growth and nutrition in plants

Coffee crop, highly important worldwide, is one of the main commodities in Brazilian exports. However, due to climate changes, its cultivation is currently demanding irrigation techniques. Current assay evaluates the effect of different irrigation water levels on the development and productivity of coffee shrubs in predominant soil and climate conditions of the town of Muzambinho, in the southern region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The experiment was performed in July 2013 on a coffee plantation, planted with coffee shrubs, cultivar Red Catuai IAC/144, by drip irrigation. Experiment design consisted of randomized blocks with four replications and four treatments, or rather, different irrigation water depths: 0 (without irrigation), 50, 100 and 125% of ET0. Productivity, vegetal growth and distribution of the radicular system were evaluated after 12 months. Treatments did not affect vegetal growth. Better quantity and distribution of the radicular system were detected at 100% irrigation level, with a productionof 55 sacks.ha-1 or a 45% gain when compared to that in non-irrigated areas. Key words: Management, coffee, drip system.