Seasonal variation in leaf nutrient concentration of conilon coffee genotypes

Abstract

An adequate nutritional management is essential to ensure high coffee yields. In view of the wide genetic variability among Coffea canephora genotypes, due to the allogamy of the species, the nutritional demand is also divergent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the leaf nutrient concentration in early (V08), medium (V12), and late-maturing genotypes (V13) of cultivar Vitória Incaper 8142. Twenty-three leaf samples were used to determine the macro- and micronutrients, collected in a 1-year period on six representative plantations in the north of Espírito Santo. The influence of the climatic conditions of rainfall and temperature, and of the vegetative growth and reproductive periods of the coffee trees on the leaf concentrations of macro- and micronutrients was confirmed. The foliar concentrations of N, P, K, S, B, Ca, Cu, and Fe of the early-maturing genotype V08, as well as those of N, Ca, S, and B of the medium-maturing genotype V12 were statistically superior to those of the late-maturing genotype V13. For all genotypes, a deficiency of micronutrient B was stated during the grain-filling period, indicating that the plant should be supplied with this element prior to this period. The nutrient concentrations frequently exceeded the recommended range, particularly during the grain-filling period.