Levels of superabsorbent polymer, irrigation interval and coffee plant growth

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the response of coffee (Coffea Arabica L.), cv. Tupi (Rubiaceae) crop to water supplied by the polyacrylamide polymer denominated of superabsorbent polymer. The experiment was conducted on greenhouse, in the experimental area of the Centro Técnico de Irrigação, at the Universidade Estadual de Maringá, state of Paraná, from August to October/1998. It was conducted in a 4 x 4 factorial way, with 16 treatments and 5 repetitions. Each treatment was obtained by combinations of two variation sources: irrigation frequency and percentage of polymer on substrate. Irrigation was done every 10; 20; 30 and 40 days (four levels). Polymer was added to substrate to make four levels: 0; 15; 30 and 45% of total mass. Crop response to treatments was measured using two variables. The height and the dry matter of the plants increased with the addition of the polymer to the substratum and they decreased with the increase in the interval between irrigations. The use of polymer in the substratum allows greater intervals between irrigation without damage to the coffee plants growth and increase of dry matter