Three experiments were carried out beginning in 1973/74 in a Red Latosol transition to Clay Red Yellow Latosol at the Centro Experimental of Campinas, in a Red-Yellow Podzolic Soil at Estação Experimental of Mococa, and on a Ortho Red Latosol at Estação Experimental of Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in order to study nitrogen application on the coffee tree. Lime ammonium nitrate was applied at rates of 60, 120, 180, and 240g of N per plant in splitted applications as follows: in just one time by October and by December; in two times, by January and February; and in four times by October, December, January, and February. High yield increases were obtained with N applications rates up to 120g of N per plant. With higher rates further yield increments were about 5 or 10%. The residual effects of ammonium sulfate, lime ammonium nitrate, Chilean nitrate and urea were still present ten years after the last application. The data on coffee yield obtained with splitted applications of N were not consistent.
coffee tree; fertilization; nitrogen; rates; splitted applications; residual effects