Características produtivas do cafeeiro arábica irrigado por pivo central na região de Lavras/MG

Abstract

Irrigation management in coffee (Coffea sp.) has been studied by several researchers in order to set the crop coefficient value (Kc) to be used to estimate evapotranspiration of coffee plantations. The adoption of a single value for different times of the year can result in water deficit or wastage of water and inputs. This work aimed to evaluate the productive characteristics of the coffee cultivar “Rubi” (Coffea arabica L.) irrigated with a central pivot, subjected to different water levels. The experiment was conducted in an experimental area at the Universidade Federal de Lavras. The treatments consisted of levels of water applied according to the percentages of pre-defined crop coefficient values (Kc) as follows: 60%, 80%, 100%, 120% and 140% of the Kc values equal to 1, 10 (Jan-Mar), 0.90 (Apr-July), 1,30 (Aug-out), 1,15 (Nov-Dec), and a non-irrigated treatment (control). Irrigation of the coffee plantation provided an annual productivity superior to non-irrigated plots for the 2007 and 2008 harvests. Treatment with water levels of 100% of Kc presented the highest productivity in both harvests. These results led to the recommendations for the southern region of Minas Gerais, Kc values equal to 1.10 (Jan-Mar), 0.90 (Apr-July), 1.30 (Aug-out), 1.15 (Nov- ten). The quality of coffee beans was influenced by irrigation.