Plagiotropic Branches Research Articles

Evaluation of genetic divergence among clones of conilon coffee after scheduled cycle pruning.

Coffea canephora genotypes from the breeding program of Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa e Extensão Rural were evaluated, and genetic diversity was estimated with the aim of future improvement strategies. From an initial group of 55 genotypes, 18 from the region of Castelo, ES, were selected, and three clones of the cultivars "Vitória" and "robusta tropical." Upon completion of the scheduled cycle pruning, 17 morphoagronomic traits were measured in the 22 genotypes selected. The principal components method was used to evaluate the contributions relative to the traits. The genetic dissimilarity matrix was obtained through Mahalanobis generalized distance, and genotypes were grouped using the hierarchical method based on the mean of the distances. The most promising clones of Avaliação Castelo were AC02, AC03, AC12, AC13, AC22, AC24, AC26, AC27, AC28, AC29, AC30, AC35, AC36, AC37, AC39, AC40, AC43, and AC46. These methods detected high genetic variability, grouping, by similarity, the genotypes in five groups. The trait that contributed the least to genetic divergence was the number of leaves in plagiotropic branches; however, this was not eliminated, because discarding it altered the groups. There are superior genotypes with potential for use in the next stages of the breeding program, aimed at both the composition of clonal variety and hybridizations.

Ecology of Vespidae (Hymenoptera)Predators in Coffea arabica Plantations

Social Vespidae exhibit control of Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) in Brazil. The objective was to determine the ideal unit for sampling of predaceous Vespidae in coffee crops in the vegetative and reproductive phases. This research was conducted in two coffee plantations in Viçosa, MG. The factors being studied were: crop phase, canopy thirds, branch type, exhibition side of the plant to solar light and the position of the leaf on the branch. The number of predation mines by Vespidae on all the leaves of each evaluated plant was recorded. In coffee plants in the vegetative phase the best sampling unit of the Vespidae was the 5th or 6th pair of leaves on the primary plagiotropic branches of the median third of the canopy. In coffee plants already in the reproductive phase the best unit for sampling Vespidae were leaves on the third apical of the 4th or 6th pair of leaves on primary plagiotropic branches on the plant face exposed to the sun in the afternoon period or on the median third on the 5th pair of leaves of the plant face exposed to the sun in the afternoon period.

Selection of coffee progenies for resistance to nematode Meloidogyne paranaensis in infested area

The purpose of this study was to select Coffea arabica progenies for resistance to M. paranaensis in an infested coffee growing area using Henderson's mixed model methodology. Forty-one genotypes were selected at the Coffee Active Germplasm Bank of Minas Gerais, and evaluated in regard to stem diameter, number of plagiotropic branches, reaction to the nematode, and yield per plant. There was genetic variability among the genotypes studied for all the traits evaluated, and among the populations studied for yield and reaction to the nematode, indicating possibilities for obtaining genetic gains through selection in this population. There was high rate of genotypic association between all the traits studied. Coffee plants of Timor Hybrid UFV408-01 population, and F3 progenies derived from crossing Catuaí Vermelho and Amphillo MR 2161 were the most promising in the area infested by M. paranaensis.

Modelo matemático para previsão da produtividade do cafeeiro

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, a criação de um modelo matemático, prático e eficiente para a previsão antecipada de safras com base em alguns atributos fenológicos da planta: altura, número de frutos no 4º e 5º internódios dos ramos plagiotrópicos, comprimento em metros das linhas de café e diâmetro medido na região inferior das plantas. O experimento foi montado nos cafezais do IFSULDEMINAS - Campus Machado, em que quatro cultivares de diferentes portes tiveram sua produtividade analisada durante a safra 2010/2011: Catucaí, Mundo Novo, Rubi e Topázio, cada uma se constituiu em unidade experimental na qual, por sua vez, foram amostradas 10 plantas aleatoriamente sendo 6 ramos amostrados em cada planta (três do lado do sol nascente e três do lado do sol poente, sendo dois no terço superior, outros dois na região intermediária e os dois últimos na região inferior de cada planta). Os dados foram colhidos no final do mês de fevereiro de 2011. O modelo que considera a proporção do volume de copa do cafeeiro tentando aproximar-se mais da arquitetura real da planta foi o mais significativo apresentando coeficiente de determinação de 0,83.

Dry matter and macronutrient accumulation in fruits of Conilon coffee with different ripening cycles

The period between anthesis and fruit ripening varies according to the Conilon coffee (Coffea canephora) genotype. Therefore, the time of the nutritional requirements for fruit formation may differ, depending on the formation phase and the genotype, and may directly affect split application of fertilizer. The aim of this study was to quantify the accumulation of dry matter and N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S at several stages in the fruit of the Conilon coffee genotype with different ripening cycles, which may suggest the need for split application of fertilizer in coffee. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Nova Venecia, Espírito Santo, Brazil, throughout the reproductive cycle. The treatments were composed of four coffee genotypes with different ripening cycles. A completely randomised experimental design was used. with five replicates. Plagiotropic branches were harvested from flowering to fruit ripening at 28-day intervals to determine the dry matter of the fruits and the concentration and accumulation of the nutrients they contained. The behavior of dry matter and macronutrient accumulation during the study period was similar and increasing, but it differed among genotypes sampled in the same season. Early genotypes exhibited a higher speed of dry matter and nutrient accumulation. Split application of fertilizer should differ among coffee genotypes with different ripening cycles (early, intermediate, late and very late).

Agronomic performance of arabica coffee genotypes in northwest Rio de Janeiro State

Considering the productive potential of arabica coffee in the Rio de Janeiro State and the shortage of breeding programs for this species in the state, this study aimed to evaluate the vegetative and productive characteristics of 25 arabica coffee genotypes to indicate 1 or more varieties for the northwest Rio de Janeiro region. The experiment was in Varre e Sai, RJ, Brazil, and plants were planted in 2007 with a spacing of 2.5 x 0.8 m. Five plots were used, consisting of 8 plants per plot to measure vegetative growth, height, stem diameter, and plagiotropic branch number characteristics and productivity in the biennia 2009/2010 and 2011/2012. The classification by sieve was performed at harvest in 2011. The variables were subjected to analysis of variance and means grouped by the Scott Knott test at 5% probability, and the productivity was subjected to joint analysis of variance. Pearson's correlation coefficients between growth and productivity variables were estimated. The best genotypes were Catucaí Amarelo 2 SL, Catiguá MG 02, Acauã, Palma II, Sabiá 398, IPR 103, IPR 100, Catucaí Amarelo 24/137, and Catucaí Amarelo 20/15.

Déficit hídrico e fatores climáticos na uniformidade da florada do cafeeiro conilon irrigado

The coffee crop is an activity of high importance in the north of the Espírito Santo. The use of irrigation in the cultivation of coffee Conilon capixaba has provided greater productivity, good uniformity of flowering, and better quality of final product . This study was conducted in an area located in the municipality of Jaguaré, ES, with the use of coffee (Café 'Conilon' - Coffea canephora Pierre), of five years of age, planted in spacing of 3.30 x 1.20 m, under fixed sprinkler irrigation . Six treatments were evaluated, each containing a total of 70 plants. The treatment T1 was not irrigated; treatment T2 was irrigated without interruption and T3, T4, T5 and T6 were irrigated with interruption of irrigation for three, five, seven and nine weeks, respectively, from the July 5, 2010. The study showed that the treatments T1, T2 and T6 showed higher percentages of uniform flowering. The E5 floral bud development stage proved as the best stage to define the right time to return to irrigation. The results of evaluations showed no significant difference in the growth of plagiotropic branches in the treatments studied.

Principal component analysis on morphological traits in juvenile stage arabica coffee

In plant breeding and selection, it is necessary to evaluate a great number of traits that are naturally associated. Thus, the use of multivariate analysis, such as Principal Component Analysis, can assist data interpretation. The aim of this study was to identify which morphological traits are of greatest importance to discriminate juvenile Coffea arabica genotypes. Cultivars, hybrids and some wild genotypes were evaluated from a coffee genebank maintained by the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuaria de Minas Gerais, in Patrocinio, MG, Brazil. A randomized block experimental design was used with two replicates, spacing of 3.5 x 0.8 meters and ten plants per plot. The morphological characters were measured at 12 months after the plantation, at the plants juvenile phase. Only the first two major components explained 80.04% of total variance. Among the morphological evaluated traits, the length of the first plagiotropic branch, the plant vitality, the stem diameter and the nodes number of the first plagiotropic branch are the most important variables to discriminate the genotypes. These evaluations are important to the early selection of the genotypes of higher potential allowing to concentrate efforts in their evaluating, discarding other minor traits.

Características de crescimento inicial de duas cultivares de cafeeiro sob diferentes regimes hídricos e níveis de fertilização NPK

The experiment objectified to evaluate the effects of water regimes (irrigation and no irrigation) and fertigation, combined with fertilizer doses for N, P and K, during the initial growth phase of two coffee cultivars, Obatã and IAPAR-59, in the north-western region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. The experimental design was the completely randomized in a split-plot arrangement. The main plots were represented by fertilizer doses, corresponding to 15, 30, 45 and 60 g m-1, for N and K, and to 3, 6, 9 and 12 g m-1, for P, which are equivalent, respectively, to percentages of 50%, 100%, 150% and 200% of the dose recommended for each nutrient. The sub-plots were constituted by lines of plants that received the water regimes. Were evaluated stalk diameter, length of the first plagiotropic branch and its number of inter-knots. The treatments were analyzed separately for each cultivar of coffee. Fertigation and irrigation favored the initial growth of both coffee cultivars. For the IAPAR-59 cultivar, the number of inter-knots was upper only with fertigation. The number of inter-knots increased with irrigation and decreased in no irrigation regime, linearly, for IAPAR-59 and Obatã, respectively, in function of the NPK doses increasing. In fertigation, it was observed reduction of stalk diameter at doses higher than the lowest dose tested, for IAPAR-59, while the largest number of inter-knots was obtained with the highest dose used, for Obatã.

Coniferopsid tree trunks preserved in sabkha facies in the Permian (Sakmarian) Community Pit Formation in south-central New Mexico, U.S.A.: Systematics and palaeoecology

We describe the anatomy of silicified tree trunks found in the lower Permian (Sakmarian) Community Pit Formation (Hueco Group) near Las Cruces, south-central New Mexico, U.S.A. The fossils occur as allochthonous assemblages within facies interpreted as supratidal sabkha deposits in a dominantly shallow marine carbonate-siliciclastic succession, and probably represent remains of forests that fringed a seasonally dry coast. Although several hundred specimens were collected, only ten specimens, interpreted as derived from near the crowns of large trees, showed sufficiently good preservation of pith and primary vasculature for full description. The dominant taxon is Macdonaldodendron giganticus gen. et sp. nov., which shows a broad, non-septate pith containing sclerotic nests, an endarch, non-sympodial vasculature, helically arranged, triangular leaf bases embedded in the secondary xylem near the pith, and whorls of more than seven plagiotropic branches at some levels; it is interpreted as an evergreen walchian conifer. Somewhat rarer are two species of Giblingodendron gen. nov., which show a broad, non-septate pith, with sclereid cells, a mesarch, non-sympodial vasculature, and helically-arranged leaf traces that are occluded at the first ring boundary; this genus is interpreted as a deciduous coniferopsid, and probably, a voltzian conifer. One further incompletely preserved specimen is of Cordaixylon–Mesoxylon type and comprises a septate, homocellular pith, non-sympodial vasculature and, helically arranged leaf traces; it is probably cordaitalean. Macdonaldodendron lacks tree rings, whereas the two Giblingodendron species show marked tree rings, suggesting that the two genera employed varied phenological strategies and/or had different edaphic preferences in this seasonally dry region of western Pangaea. The fossil assemblage also demonstrates the diversity of early Permian tropical coniferopsid forests and challenges the view that late Palaeozoic conifers were exclusively small trees and shrubs.

Seasonal Vegetative Growth in Genotypes of Coffea canephora, as Related to Climatic Factors

Knowledge about the seasonality of different genotypes of Coffea canephora is an important tool for this crop management, particularly with regard to irrigation and fertilisation issues. This study was conducted in Espírito Santo, Brazil and aimed at to evaluate the seasonal vegetative growth in genotypes of C. canephora, as related to climatic factors, based on the growth of groups of orthotropic and plagiotropic branches with different ages. Three groups of plagiotropic branches and one group of orthotropic branches of 14 genotypes (Ipiranga and 13 that belonged to the variety Vitória) were selected and marked to followed along the one-year experiment. Three-year-old plants were cultivated under full-sun conditions, with a spacing of 3 m between rows and 1 m between plants. The growth rates of the orthotropic and plagiotropic branches differed among the genotypes and underwent seasonal variation during the entire year, with high correlations to the air temperature. Under the natural experimental conditions, the growth rate of the branches decreased when the minimum air temperatures were below 17.2ºC for most of the genotypes studied. The plagiotropic branches presented lower vegetative growth, mainly for the coffee berries, compared to the younger branches. Presumably, the genotypes of C. canephora demanded more nutrients for growth between mid-September and the second week of May.

Deriva simulada do glyphosate em cultivares de café Acaiá e Catucaí

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos da deriva simulada de glyphosate sobre o crescimento inicial de dois cultivares de café de crescimento distinto. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, sendo os tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial 2x5. No primeiro fator foram alocados os cultivares e, no segundo, as subdoses do glyphosate (0, 57,6; 115,2; 230,4; e 460,8 g ha-1). No dia da aplicação e também aos 45 e 120 dias após aplicação (DAA), avaliaram-se a altura, a área foliar, o diâmetro do caule, o número de ramos plagiotrópicos e de folhas; aos 10, 45 e 120 DAA foram avaliados os sintomas de intoxicação nas plantas e, aos 120 DAA, o acúmulo de massa seca de caule, folhas e raízes. Os sintomas de intoxicação nas plantas de café causados pelo glyphosate foram caracterizados por clorose e estreitamento do limbo foliar nos dois cultivares estudados. Todavia, sintomas mais severos foram verificados no cultivar Acaiá a partir de 10 DAA, como necrose de folhas mais novas da parte mediana da planta. Conclui-se que o cultivar Acaiá é menos tolerante ao glyphosate, quando comparado ao Catucaí, pois apresentou menor crescimento que o Catucaí quando submetidos ao tratamento com o herbicida, ou seja, pode ocorrer tolerância diferencial entre cultivares de crescimento distinto.

Growth and yield of Coffea arabica L. in Northwest Fluminense: 2nd harvest

In recent years, several new coffee cultivars recommended for different regions have been released. However, the performance of these varieties in many traditionally producing regions is unknown. Difference of climate and soil may jeopardize the productivity of the new cultivars and cause losses to farmers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the vegetative growth and productive genotypes of C. arabica in the conditions of the Northwestern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The experiment was settled in 2007, in Panorama 1 Farm, located in the municipality of Varre Sai, RJ. Twenty-five genotypes of C. arabica were planted in a spacing of 2.5 × 0.8 m, using a completely randomized design with five replications and eight plants per plot. There were eight measurements of vegetative growth represented by plant height, stem diameter and number of plagiotropic branches. Assessments of productivity were also performed in years 2009 and 2010. There was a positive phenotypic correlation among vegetative characteristics and between vegetative characteristics and yield in the first harvest, while in the second harvest only the number of plagiotropic branches was positively correlated with yield. Up to date, the genotypes Catucaí amarelo 2 SL, Catiguá MG 02, Acauã, Palma II, Sabiá 398, IPR 103/ Iapar, IPR 100/Iapar, H 419-10-6-2-12-1, Catucaí amarelo 24 / 137, Iapar 59, Catucaí amarelo 20/15, H 419-10-6-2-5-10-1 and H 419-10-6-2-5-1 had the highest average yield after two harvests.

Varying leaf-to-fruit ratios affect branch growth and dieback, with little to no effect on photosynthesis, carbohydrate or mineral pools, in different canopy positions of field-grown coffee trees

Heavy bearing is a typical phenomenon on unshaded coffee ( Coffea arabica L.) trees and limits both the production and retention of leaves, leading to branch dieback, and, thus, results in a strong biennial bearing pattern. The major goals of this study were to investigate the physiological mechanisms that may be associated with the leaf-to-fruit ratio (LFR), branch dieback, biennial production and the relationships between carbohydrate and mineral fluctuations and branch dieback in coffee plants. The trees were grown in north–south-oriented hedgerows under conditions of full sunlight. Leaves and plagiotropic branches from the upper and lower strata of the east- and west-facing sides of the hedgerow were examined. A strong biennial pattern of coffee production was observed over three harvests. Overall, the east face of the hedgerow produced a more sellable crop than the west face, and this was associated with more light availability for the east-facing branches. The branch growth rate was higher with an increasing LFR during 2006–2007, regardless of the canopy position, and no compensatory increase in the photosynthetic rate was found in response to a decreasing LFR. Due to a relatively low fruit yield in 2007–2008, there was no branch dieback. The extent of branch dieback increased dramatically with decreasing LFR and was probably not closely related to changes in the concentrations of carbohydrates, amino acids and minerals. The extent of branch dieback was apparently unrelated to the differences in the photosynthetic rates per unit leaf area, carbon isotope composition, or oxidative stress, as was assessed by the electrolyte leakage from the leaf tissues. We discuss these responses in terms of the relative lack of branch autonomy in coffee trees.

Axillary meristems in the Wollemi pine: a response to Geoffrey E. Burrows

Axillary meristems in the Wollemi pine: a response to Geoffrey E. Burrows

Morphophysiological characteristics of (Coffea arabica L.) in different arrangements: lessons from a 3d virtual plant approach

3D vegetative structural and functional models are useful in simulations of ecophysiological and biophysical processes. The main objective of this study was to model a 3D Coffea arabica L. structure. The specific aim was to use 3D mock-ups for analysis of vertical leaf and berry distribution and light interception in coffee crops cultivated in different planting densities and arrangements. The mock-ups were built after abstraction and codification by VPlants, based on morphological measurements (orthotropic shoot height and its number of internodes; positions of second to fourth branching order plagiotropics; internode number on first to fourth branching order plagiotropics number of leaf pairs), and several hypotheses. Mock-ups were visualized in PlantGLViewer, while Silhouette to Total Area Ratio (STAR), leaf area (LA) and berry distribution were processed in VegeSTAR. Planting arrangements influenced STAR when the plants were grown in a low density (6,000 plants ha-1). Plant density had a significant effect on the number of berries in square arrangements. The higher layers were occupied by first order foliage and few berries, allowing more light to pass to the lower canopy layers. Berries were abundant in the first and second order plagiotropic branches, in the highest and middle layers. Light distribution was more uniform than leaf area distribution, indicative of a disperse foliage and efficient space occupation. STAR correlated strongly with berry number, especially in the upper, less shaded canopy layers, where flower induction was the most intense.

Partial shoot reiteration in Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae) does not arise from ‘axillary meristems’

Conifers are characterized by the paucity of axillary buds which in dicotyledonous trees usually occur at every node. To compensate, conifers also produce 'axillary meristems', which may be stimulated to late development. In juvenile material of Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae: Massart's model) first-order (plagiotropic) branches lack both axillary buds and, seemingly, axillary meristems. This contrasts with orthotropic (trunk) axes, which produce branches, either within the terminal bud or as reiterated orthotropic axes originating from axillary meristems. However, plagiotropic axes do produce branches if they are decapitated. This study investigated how this can occur if axillary meristems are not the source. The terminal buds of a series of plagiotropic branches on juvenile trees were decapitated in order to generate axillary shoots. Shoots were culled at about weekly intervals to obtain stages in lateral shoot development. Serial sections were cut with a sliding microtome from the distal end of each sample and scanned sequentially for evidence of axillary meristems and early bud development. Anatomical search produced no clear evidence of pre-existing axillary meristems but did reveal stages of bud initiation. Buds were initiated in a group of small starch-rich cortical cells. Further development involved de-differentiation of these small cells and the development of contrasting outer and inner regions. The outer part becomes meristematic and organizes the apex of the new branch. The inner part develops a callus-like tissue of vacuolated cells within which vascular cambia are developed. This kind of insertion of a branch on the parent axis seems not to have been described before. Axillary meristems in Wollemia characterize the leaf axils of trunk axes so that the origin of reiterated shoots is clear. Plagiotropic axes seemingly lack axillary meristems but still produce axillary branches by distinctive developmental processes. These observations demonstrate limited understanding of branch initiation in trees generally.

Growth architecture and silhouette of Jurassic conifers from La Matilde Formation, Patagonia, Argentina

Simple morphological traits are used to describe the architecture of a tree: the growth and branching process, the morphological differentiation of the axes and the position of reproductive structures. The main purpose of this contribution is to describe the growth architecture of the Jurassic conifer trees present at the most basal part of the La Matilde Formation in the locality of Monumento Natural Bosques Petrificados, Patagonia, Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and to compare it with that of extant and fossil conifers. This study is based on a large number of in situ petrified trunks, impressions and external molds of leafy branches and female cones in intimate association or organic connection with the trunks. The cones were assigned to Araucaria cf . A. mirabilis (Speg.) Windhausen emend. Calder (Araucariaceae) based on morphological and anatomical characters. The “ Araucaria mirabilis” trees had 3 branching categories, corresponding to the typical pattern in extant Araucariaceae, although 4 branching categories cannot be completely discarded. The main, orthotropic stem (TA1) had rhythmic growth and branching, bearing 3–4, probably up to 6–7 plagiotropic branches in pseudowhorls. The lower part of the trees shows no branch-scars; therefore, self-pruning would have been present. Lateral branches (A2) had rhythmic branching: the branchlets (A3) were distributed regularly on the leading branch, with an alternate arrangement, conforming two orthostichies on the same horizontal plane. The female cones were borne terminal at the tip of peduncles, but lateral in position with respect to A2 branches. Reiteration patterns are present: total reiterations (bifurcated trunks and big, orthotropic branches in trunks with normal plagiotropic branches) and partial reiterations (epicormic branching) were observed. The root system consisted of 6 horizontal roots, no tap root was observed. Two architectural patterns or “morphotypes” were recognized at one of the forest levels studied, in keeping with other pieces of evidence (type of wood, foliage, and cones). The “Araucarioid morphotype or morphotype A” includes most of the studied specimens (i.e. “ Araucaria mirabilis” trees); showing pseudowhorls of plagiotropic branches. These characters correspond to Massart's model, with certain modifications in the adult trees due to reiteration processes. Morphotype B was observed in bigger trunks with a distinctive costulated surface, which bear only orthotropic branches irregularly arranged, and without reiteration evidences; they could be assigned to Attim's model and possibly represent a different conifer taxon, though subrepresented. Partial and total reiteration patterns are described for the first time for Jurassic, Gondwanic conifers. Moreover, Massart's model can be followed from Upper Palaeozoic Walchiaceae to Mesozoic Araucariaceae.

Spiked pepper: selection of clones toward cropping on the edaphoclimatic conditions from Belém, Brazil

Spiked pepper presents a high yield of essential oil with useful biological properties for human health and agriculture. In order to evaluate the morphoagronomic variability and, afterwards, to select genotypes for plant breeding and cultivation, thirteen clones were propagated. Thus, spiked pepper cuttings were rooted under greenhouse, transferred to a nursery and, afterwards, planted at the experimental area. The evaluations were carried out in two harvest seasons. The evaluated morphoagronomic traits were number of leaves per branch, leaf length, leaf width, diameter of the oldest branch, plant height, number of orthotropic branches, number of plagiotropic branches, internode length, fresh and dry matter, yield of essential oil and dillapiole content. The analysis of variance and the Scott-Knott test were utilized for data analysis and comparisons among clones and parentals were carried out through genetic and experimental variation coefficients. Fresh matter (first season), number of orthotropic branches and diameter of the the oldest branch (second season) presented variability. The Scott-Knott test detected variability for fresh matter, dillapiole content (first season), diameter of the oldest branch and number of orthotropic branches (second season). The yield of essential oil and the dillapiole content were higher for the clones than for the parentals. In conclusion, the clones showed adaptability to the soil and climate conditions of Belém, Pará State, Brazil; the harvest time influenced the oil yield and the dillapiole content; the variance analysis evidenced uniformity and productivity for the evaluated clones, suggesting they can be recommended for cultivation on small-scale production systems in this location.

Número de ramos plagiotrópicos e produtividade de duas cultivares de cafeeiro utilizando irrigação por gotejamento

Este experimento foi conduzido em uma área do Centro Técnico de Irrigação (CTI) da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM) com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação de porcentagens de doses para NPK, no número de ramos plagiotrópicos e na produtividade das cultivares de cafeeiro Obatã e IAPAR - 59 em diferentes cultivos (não irrigado, irrigado e fertirrigado). As mudas foram plantadas em espaçamento de 2,0 metros entre linhas e 1,0 metro entre plantas, caracterizando sistema adensado. Utilizou-se o sistema de irrigação localizada por gotejamento. O experimento foi esquematizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições. As parcelas e subparcelas foram compostas pelas porcentagens de doses de NPK e pelos cultivos, respectivamente. A interação entre estes fatores influenciou significativamente a produtividade e o número de ramos plagiotrópicos, permitindo concluir qual a dose de fertilizante mais indicada para cada cultivo. A produtividade máxima para a cultivar Obatã foi conseguida com as doses de NPK de percentual 119,5%, 151,25%, e 154,17% para os cultivos não irrigados, irrigados e fertirrigados, respectivamente. A máxima produtividade da cultivar IAPAR - 59 nos cultivos não irrigados, irrigados e fertirrigados foi alcançada com os percentuais de 137,83%, 162% e 151,75%, respectivamente. Em relação ao número de ramos plagiotrópicos, a melhor dose para a cultivar Obatã, nos cultivos irrigados e fertirrigados, correspondeu a dose de 200%, enquanto que a dose de 150% foi a mais adequada para as plantas irrigadas da cultivar IAPAR - 59. Os melhores desempenhos produtivos foram obtidos nos cultivos fertirrigados.