Leaf contents of phosphorus and zinc, productivity, and growth of irrigated coffee

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of irrigation on leaf contents of P and Zn, on the yield, and on the growth of coffee plants (Coffea arabica) under traditional and high density planting. A randomized complete block design was used in split-plot arrangement, with four replicates. Plots consisted of planting density (3,333 and 10,000 plants ha^-1), and subplots consisted of water depths applied according to four irrigation managements: beginning of irrigation whenever water tension at 0.25 m soil depth reached values near 20 or 60 kPa; fixed irrigation turn (three times a week), according to climatic water balance; and a control without irrigation. In 2009, 2010, and 2011, the following evaluations were done for: leaf concentrations of P and Zn; yield of processed coffee (bags ha^-1); and lateral canopy area. Larger water irrigation depths favor root absorption of P and the vegetative growth of plants, on both traditional and high density planting systems, as well as productivity increase in the traditional system. Phosphorus increased availability for plants by greater irrigation depths decreases Zn concentration in the leaves.