The effect of method application of manure, phosphorus and potassium incorporated to soil or applied on the soil surface was evaluated by means of 3 x 2 x 2 factorial experiments in three soils of State of São Paulo, Brazil: (1) a Latossolic B transition to a Red Yellow Latossolic at Campinas region; (2) a Latossolic B "Terra Roxa" at Jaú region; and (3) a Red Yellow Podzolic at Mococa region. Forty liters of manure, 200 g of normal superphosphate, 200 g of potassium chloride and 800 g of ammonium nitrate per plant were applied yearly in the coffee variety Mundo Novo CP 379-19 spaced 3 m x 2 m. In the treatments with manure and mineral fertilizers only half of total quantitie was applied. The grain productions recorded in the period of 1966 to 1969 were analyzed for the three regions. In Campinas, the use of mineral fertilizers increased the coffee yields and when the total quantities were applied without manure, the increase in production was higher. The incorporation of manure and phosphate was better than the application at the surface for the three locations. The potassium application at the surface was better than the incorporation, at Campinas and Jaú.
coffee tree; organic and mineral fertilizers