There are complexes feedback mechanisms involving the relationship rootstock/scion, whick can positively or negatively affect the plant nutrient efficiency use. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of uptake, translocation and utilization of Zn, Cu and Mn in coffee seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse over 170 days using circulating nutrient solution in pots with sand medium. Four Coffea arabica L. genotypes were used as grafts: Catuaí Vermelho IAC 15 and Oeiras MG 6851, and the hybrids 'H 419-10-3-1-5' and 'H 514-5-5-3' . Three genotypes of Coffea canephora Pierre et Froenher were used as rootstocks: Apoatã LC 2258, Conilon Muriaé-1 and RC EMCAPA 8141 (recombination among clones of the variety Robustão Capixaba - EMCAPA 8141), one line of C. arabica: Mundo Novo IAC 376-4, and four additional non-grafted plants. The experiment was in a randomized block design with 20 treatments, four replications and one plant per plot. The nutritional efficiency of the coffee seedlings for Zn, Cu and Mn varied according to the graft/rootstock combination. Progeny 'H 514-5-5-3' proved to be the most effective regarding Zn, Cu and Mn utilization and dry matter yield when combined with the rootstocks Apoatã LC 2258 and Mundo Novo IAC 376-4. Catuaí Vermelho IAC 15 was more effective for Cu and Mn utilization when combined with Apoatã LC 2258.
Coffea canephora; grafting; hydroponics; nutritive solution
