Horizontal and vertical distribution in soil fertility and roots in a coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Catuai cultivar - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v28i4.758

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to compare horizontal and vertical distribution of roots and soil fertility in a 11-year-old coffee plantation (Coffea arabica L. cv Catuai amarelo) in the municipality of Tomazina, State of Paraná, southern Brazil. Soil and root samples were collected at depths of 0-0.05, 0.05-0.2, 0.2-0.4, and 0.4-0.6 m under each horizontal zone (CA-canopy, FS-Fertilization and MR-middle of rows). Intense soil acidification was observed in the FS area for 0-0.4 m depth. Higher K content was observed in the FS and MR, compared to CA zone. Higher values for soil organic matter, CEC, and P were observed in the MR, due to management practices. The contribution of fine roots (<1 mm), median roots (1-3 mm), and coarse roots (>3 mm in diameter) to total root length was 97.8, 1.9, and 0.3%, respectively. Approximately 68.4, 15.3 and 16.3% of total root length were located in the respective CA, FS, and MR zones, while 22.9, 40.2, 23.6 and 13.3% of total root length were within the first, second, third and fourth depth increments, respectively. Root distribution and morphology in relation to soil chemical properties were also evaluated.