Efeito da irrigação sobre a produtividade do cafeeiro nas cinco primeiras Safras 1.

Abstract

Irrigation effects on coffee yield were evaluated. The experiment was carried out on a field planted with Rubi cultivar on March 1999, with plants spaced 0.8 meters and rows 3.5 meters apart. The statistical design was randomized blocks with six treatment levels and three replicates. Irrigation were applied on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, based on the water balance considering precipitation and evaporation from a Class A Pan (ECA), applying 0% of ECA (non irrigated), 60% ECA (T2), 80% ECA (T3), 100% ECA (T4), 120% ECA (T5) e 140% ECA (T6). The harvest coffee beans from the experimental plots was dried to reduce humidity to 11 to 12% on weight basis. After dried, the grains were processed and weighted to estimate the yield. It could be observed that irrigation increased the productivity. Plants irrigated with 60% of ECA produced 45.12 bags (60Kg) per hectare per year (5 years production) while the non irrigated produced 24 only. Considering the results obtained, the water depth equivalent to 60% ECA can be recommended to irrigate coffee plants at south region of Minas Gerais State in Brazil.