Clonal cutting production by Coffea canephora mother plants under increasing nitrogen doses

Abstract

This study aimed to establish production curves of cuttings for Coffea canephora coffee plants in response to nitrogen doses. A clonal garden of the botanical variety Robusta was used to evaluate the effects of seven nitrogen doses divided into four applications. The subplots corresponded to two evaluation periods: January and June 2019. The following traits were evaluated: number of stems, number of viable cuttings, number of cuttings per stem, cutting fresh and dry mass, and cutting macronutrient contents. The results showed that C. canephora produced a higher amount of vegetative mass and propagules during the period from September to January compared to the period from January to June. Nutrient concentrations in the tissues varied with the period of the year due to soil nutrient availability and the amount of accumulated dry mass. Increasing nitrogen doses resulted in higher vegetative and propagules mass associated to higher nitrogen and potassium concentrations in the cuttings; but had no effect on phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur contents. Nutrient contents in the cuttings followed the order K>N>Ca>P>Mg>S regardless of the applied nitrogen dose.