Zonas de manejo na cafeicultura de precisão

Abstract

The delimitation of management zones consists on grouping regions with similar characteristics, making possible a better administration of inputs.This work was developed in Brejão farm, in Três Pontas, Minas Gerais state, in a 22 hectares coffee (C offea arabica L.) Topázio (MG 1190) farm area, planted at December 2005, with a spacing of 3,8 meters between lines and 0,8 meters between plants, totalizing 3,289 plants per hectare. The area soil was classified as Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico Argiloso and the local weather is characterized as bland, highly tropical, with moderate temperatures, hot and rained summer, classified by Köppen as Cwa. The study area was sampled on a regular grid, using topographic GPS receivers, with samples farbetween 57 per 57 meters, totalizing 64 georeferenced samples (medium of 2,9 points per hectare). This study aims apply precision agriculture techniques in coffee cultivation, using correlation analysis to define management zones. Were evaluated chemistry soil attributes, agronomic plant characteristics and coffee yield. Chemistry soil evaluated were: soil pH, phosphorus availability (P), reminiscent phosphorus (Prem), potassium availability (K), changeable calcium (Ca 2+) , changeable magnesium (Mg 2+ ), changeable aluminum (Al 3+) , potential acidity (H + Al), aluminum saturation (m), potential cation exchange capacity (T), effective cation exchange capacity (t), sum of bases (SB), base saturation (V) and organic matter (OM). Agronomic plant characteristics evaluated were: coffee yield, maturation index, leafiness, plant height and crown diameter. Altitude was analyzed too. Descriptive analysis was applied on data followed by correlation analysis between soil attributes, agronomic plant characteristics and coffee yield. Variables who demonstrate potential to define management zones were analyzed by geostatistics to verify spatial dependence. Results showed that were possible define the attributes more related to coffee yield (level, crown diameter and phosphorus) and confirmed the correlation analysis, these attributes when used to define management zones, showed influence on coffee yield medium. Methodology adopted seems to be suitable on pattern recognition of attributes correlated with coffee yield. Was possible verify correlation between soil and plant attributes with coffee yield and define management zones in coffee cultivation, using the variables: level, phosphorus and crown diameter. Precision coffee cultivation showed the importance in soil and plant management, looking for improves techniques and field operations to guarantee the good development of the plant cultivation.