Genotypes of conilon coffee can be simultaneously clustered for efficiencies of absorption and utilization of N, P and K

The objective of this research was to group C. canephora cv. Conilon coffee genotypes of different ripening cycles for both efficient absorption and utilization of N, P and K in contrasting environments. The experiment was arranged in a factorial scheme 13x4, with fours replicates, the factors being: 13 genotypes of Conilon coffee and four types of fertilization (NPK: 0%-100%-100%, 100%-0%-100%, 100%-100%-0% and 100%-100%-100% of the level recommended). The results indicated that conilon coffee genotypes have efficiencies to absorb and use N, P, K modulated by the availability of these nutrients in the soil, furthermore it was possible to assume that conilon coffee genotypes of early ripening cycle have high joint efficiencies of absorption and utilization in environment with adequate NPK supply. To optimize the nutritional management, the genotypes 67 and 76 would be recommended for plantations with low technological potential to better exploit their efficiencies of absorption and use of N, P and K; and the genotypes 02, 48 and 67 would be recommended for crops with high technological potential where, besides the nutritional efficiency, their responsiveness could be explored. For breeding programs, it is recommended the exploitation of conilon genotypes 02 and 67, for presenting simultaneously high absorption and utilization efficiency of NPK. Key words: Coffea canephora, mineral nutrition, fertilization, crop breeding.