Coffee productive branch growth, development and nutrient accumulation from flowering to harvest under Colombian conditions

Abstract

In many Colombian regions, coffee vegetative and reproductive growth (Coffea arabica L.) occurs synchronously; hence, fertilization plans must address both needs simultaneously. The objective of the present study was to evaluate coffee productive branch growth and nutrient accumulation from flowering to harvest. During an event of high concentration of flowering, which occurred in a coffee crop, Castillo Rosario® variety, 35 plants were randomly selected, and two opposite plagiotropic branches of the same cross in the production zone were marked on each plant. One of the branches was detached at full anthesis and the other at harvest. Growth variables and nutrient concentration were measured at each time. Between flowering and harvest, branch length increased by 22 cm, number of nodes by 6.2, total biomass by 33 g, and defoliation from 14.5% to 32.5%. During this period, the concentration of all nutrients in the branch decreased, and the concentrations of N, P, Mg, and B in the leaves were lower. Total nutrient content increased differentially: N 73%, P 76%, K 142%, Ca 40%, Mg 51%, Fe 112%, Mn 87%, Zn 41%, Cu 156%, and B 36%. At anthesis, the highest proportion of nutrients was found in the leaves (57.35%-86.19%), followed by the branch (11.37%-37.41%) and flowers (1.58%-7.38%); at harvest, fruits contained the highest proportion of N, P and K, and leaves the highest contents of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and B. These results reveal the importance of branches and leaves in supporting nutrient demand by fruits and vegetative growth.