Deep soil tillage and mineral and organic fertilization for Coffea canephora cultivation

ABSTRACT: In the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, the production of conilon coffee plays a pivotal role in the economy, accounting for 75 % of national production. However, the growth of coffee roots is impeded by physical limitations in subsurface soil, primarily due to natural compaction, which restricts access to nutrients and water. To address these challenges, the implementation of deep soil tillage, along with mineral and organic fertilizers have been proposed as potential solution. These practices aim to alleviate or eliminate the constraints on root growth in deeper soil layers. The present study to assessed the effects of deep soil tillage and mineral and organic fertilization on coffee productivity and quality. The experiment was conducted in São Gabriel da Palha, Espírito Santo state, Brazil, following a simple arrangement of five treatments, employing a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments were as follows: t1 = soil tillage at 60 cm depth and standard fertilization; t2 = soil tillage at 60 cm depth, mineral fertilizer, chicken manure, and biochar; t3 = deep soil tillage at 150 cm depth and mineral fertilization; t4 = deep soil tillage at 150 cm depth, mineral fertilizer, and chicken manure; t5 = deep soil tillage at 150 cm depth, mineral fertilizer, chicken manure, and biochar. The outcomes of this study revealed that deep soil tillage, in conjunction with mineral and organic fertilization, significantly improved the chemical properties throughout the soil profile. This combination of practices increased accumulated productivity of up to 30 % following five consecutive coffee harvests. These findings underscore the importance of reducing or eliminating chemical constraints in cohesive soils as a pivotal practice for enhancing coffee yields.