Considering the low productivity of plants in soil of lower natural fertility and the high cost of fertilizers, the selection of cultivars more efficient in the absorption and use of mineral nutrients is a necessity. Four coffee varieties were evaluated for mineral nutrient use efficiency in the production of beans, as well as the relative allocation of these nutrients in reproductive organs. The experiment was carried-out in field conditions in an experimental area of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks design, in a factorial arrangement (4 x 3) x 4, consisting of four coffee varieties (Acaiá IAC-474-19, Icatu Amarelo IAC-3282, Rubi MG-1192 and Catuaí Vermelho IAC-99), three fertilization levels (lower, adequate and high), with four replications. The plot useful area consisted of nine plants with spacing of 2 x 1 m. The variety Icatu Amarelo IAC-3282 was the most productive in the condition of low nutrient input, while Rubi MG-1192 and Catuaí Vermelho IAC-99 were more productive with high nutrient input. The production of dry coffee per unit of P, Ca, Mg and B accumulated in the plant was larger at the high fertilization level. The varieties Rubi MG-1192 and Catuaí Vermelho IAC-99 showed greater efficiency of nutrient use for production of beans at the high level of fertilization. Considering the mean of relative allocation of nutrients in the beans, of the four varieties, at the usual level of fertilization, it was found that they have 3 8.1 % of N, 46.3% of P, 40.2% of S, 42.7% of K, 13.2% of the Ca, 25.0% of Mg, 40.6% of the Cu, 19.5% of Zn and 17.7% of B.
Coffea arabica L.; mineral nutrition; nutritional efficiency
