Produtividade, qualidade e custo de produção de cafeeiros em função de diferentes técnicas agronômicas

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the cost of production, as well as the quality and productivity of coffee plants as a function of different agronomic techniques and their associations in crop management. The experiment was conducted in the field at the Federal University of Lavras - UFLA, in Lavras, state of Minas Gerais, from October 2017 to August 2018. The factors under study were arranged in a factorial scheme 3x2x5, totaling 30 treatments, which were allocated in sub-subdivided plots in the experimental area. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Three soil managements (polyethylene film, brachiaria and exposed soil), two types of fertilizers (conventional and controlled release fertilizer) and five soil conditioners (coffee husk, agricultural gypsum, hydro-retentor polymer, organic compound and control) were used in the study. Plant growth, soil moisture, soil and leaf chemical attributes, productivity, physical and sensory analysis of grains and production cost were evaluated. Analysis of variance and the study of the means were carried out, followed by multivariate analysis of the data. The most recommended management for the implantation and conduction of the coffee crop is with the use of ecologically managed brachiaria grass. It provides organic matter that is deposited in the planting lines along with coffee husk or organic compost or gypsum and chemical fertilizers made with fertilizers of controlled release, resulting in higher productivities. The use of the organic compound increased the cost of production and reduced profit margins. Polyethylene film is not economically viable. By correlating the productivity with the coffee beverage quality, there is a tendency of the treatments that produced less yielding coffee with better quality, regardless of the appropriate management.