Characterization of the Transverse Distribution of Fertilizer in Coffee Plantations

Agronomy

Gabriel Araújo e Silva Ferraz¹  Alan Delon Andrade¹  Rafael de Oliveira Faria¹  Fábio Moreira da Silva¹  Daniele Sarri²  Marco Vieri²  Murilo Machado de Barros³ 

[1] Agricultural Engineering Department, Federal University of Lavras, Cx. P. 3037, 37.200-900 Lavras, MG, Brazil;Department of Agricultural, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Piazzale Delle Cascine 15, 50144 Florence, Italy;Institute of Technology, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR-465, Seropédica 23.897-000, RJ, Brasil;

关键词: centrifugal spreader;    Coffea arabica L.;    fertilizer distribution uniformity;    machine testing;   

DOI  :  10.3390/agronomy10040601

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Considering the impact of fertilizers on coffee production costs, the search for greater efficiency in the use of these inputs has an important role. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the transverse distribution of fertilizer by a centrifugal spreader in a coffee plantation and to compare two operating modes: fertilizer application on one side (FA1), or both sides (FA2) of the coffee plants. In addition, three doses (200, 300 and 400 kgha⁻¹) of monoammonium phosphate and three spreading disk rotation speeds (240, 375 and 750 rpm) were tested. To characterize fertilizer distribution profiles, collectors were placed under the canopy of coffee plants, and the collected fertilizer was weighed. From the data obtained, distribution profile histograms were constructed, and coefficients of variation were calculated for each treatment. Distribution profiles with higher uniformity were related to the morphologic characteristics of the coffee plants. Regarding the operating modes evaluated, FA1 presented better results with a disk rotation speed of 750 rpm (FA1-W3); FA2 produced the best results with a disk rotation speed of 240 rpm. By relating these results with information on root morphology, FA1-W3 was found to be the most appropriate application method.

【 授权许可】

Unknown