Efficiency of 15N-fertilizer uptake in coffee plants: short-term comparison of foliar, root, and combined pathways
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25186/.v21i.2444Abstract
Despite technological advances, agriculture still faces challenges to sustainably feed a growing global population, including the low efficiency of nitrogen (N) absorption from fertilizers. Fertigation can improve this efficiency and may be applied via foliar, soil, or a combination of both approaches, even in perennial crops such as coffee. The aim of this short-term study was to compare N uptake efficiency by evaluating different urea application methods (foliar, soil, or ‘foliar plus soil’) and two amounts of N using isotopic methodology. Based on total N content and 15N abundance in leaves, we calculated the percentage and amount of N derived from the fertilizer, as well as N uptake efficiency at 24, 48, and 72 hours after application. Rapid N uptake occurred, with the combined foliar plus soil at 2.3 g N per plant showing the highest efficiency. These findings suggest that combining foliar and soil applications can optimize N use efficiency in coffee cultivation.
Key words: Coffea arabica; isotope; urea.
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