Techniques for sustainable coffee crop management: impacts on growth and yield

Abstract

The sustainable management of coffee plants can enhance crop growth and yield, improving the plant environment due to the increase in soil’s water storage, leading to a healthier and more productive crop. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of soil coverings, soil conditioners, and controlled-release fertilizer on the growth and yield of coffee plants in the first productive biennium. The factors under study were arranged in a 3 × 2 × 5 split plot-factorial experiment, totaling 30 treatments, in a randomized block design with three replications. In the plots, three soil managements were randomized (soil cover in the rows with polyethylene film, soil cover with the ecological management of Urochloa decumbens, and conventional management of spontaneous vegetation). In the subplots, two types of fertilizers used in the fertilization of coffee plants (conventional and controlled-release fertilizer) were tested. In the main plot were tried four soil conditioners (coffee husk, agricultural gypsum, water-retaining polymer, organic compound) and the control without conditioner. Using Urochloa decumbens + coffee husk/organic compound + controlled-release fertilizers resulted in higher growth and yield of the coffee plants. So, sustainable techniques resulted in better plant nutrition and ensured increasing yields, without the effect of bienniality.