Efficiency of NPK fertilization in coffee dense cropping system in Southern Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

No conclusive studies are available on the majority of fertilization recomendations in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) dense system cropping so this work evaluated the doses of N, P2O5 e K2O on this system. A fractional factorial statistical design (½)(4)3 was used, with 2.0 x 0.75 m spacing (6,667 plantas ha-1) at 100, 250, 400 and 550 kg ha-1 for N and K2O, and 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1 for P2O5, totaling 32 plots in three different locations. Soils from Três Pontas and Varginha were typical dystrophic Red-Yellow Argisol (PVAd), and from São Sebastião do Paraíso, dystroferric Red Latosol (LRd). The doses ranging from 100 to 155 kg ha-1 of N, 0 to 8 kg ha-1 of P2O5 and 100 to 150 kg ha-1 K2O, common to the evaluated places allowed a minimum 76 of maximum productivity at Três Pontas and 95% in Varginha s PVAd, and 88% in São Sebastião do Paraíso s LRd.