Effect of the Application Timing of VIUSID Agro® on the Growth of Coffea arabica L. Seedlings

Objective: VIUSDI Agro® is a biostimulant that contains amino acids, vitamins and minerals. In Cuba, itsbeneficial effects have been primarily demonstrated in vegetables, sugarcane and tobacco. However, there islimited information regarding its use in coffee. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect ofapplication timing on the growth of coffee seedlings.Design/methodology/approach: The experiments were conducted at nursery of the Agro-Forest ResearchInstitute in Tercer Frente, from December 2019 to July 2020 and from October 2020 to June 2021, undersaran mesh shade. Using a completely randomized design, four treatments were evaluated: without VIUSIDAgro® (Control); monthly applications from the second to the fifth leaf pairs; application on the second, fourthand sixth leaf pairs; and applications on the third and fifth leaf pairs. Height, stem diameter, dry mass, leafarea, seedlings quality index, as well as agronomic efficiency were assessed. Data were analyzed using a onewayanalysis of variance, and Tukey test was applied to compare the means.Results: The coffee seedlings responded positively and significantly to the biostimulant. The applicationsenhanced the morphological variables and improved the application efficiency.Findings/conclusions: Foliar applications of VIUSID Agro® on the third and fifth pair of leaves were themost efficient, reducing the production costs of coffee plants.