Programmed pruning cycle for arabica coffee as enhancer of nutrient cycling to maintain soil fertility

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutrient cycling and biomass input of arabica coffee plants managed with a programmed pruning cycle and potassium fertilization. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot arrangement, with four doses of K in the plot, and nine periods of evaluation in the subplot. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was applied. Significance was observed as a function of days after pruning, reaching 78.5% of the decomposed leaf material at 324 days. The release of nutrients showed a variable behavior. At 360 days of evaluation, the percentages of releases nutrients were: 97.2, 79.1, 73.7, 68.0, 48.6, and 32.5, for K, P, Mg, Mn, N, and Ca, respectively. Potassium fertilization levels do not influence the decomposition rate of the leaves eliminated by the programmed pruning cycle in arabica coffee.