This work was carried out to evaluate different dosages of N and K amended through roots via nutrient solution on the intensity of Phoma spot in coffee seedlings, and to determine the dry matter and the concentration of macro and micronutrients in the aerial part of coffee seedlings inoculated with Phoma tarda. Treatments encompassed 5 dosages of K (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 mmol/L) combined to 5 dosages of N (3, 7, 11, 15 and 19 mmol/L), in 25 treatments and three replicates. This assay was repeated three times at 20ºC. By increasing the amended N, there was a linear increase of 34.8% for AUIPC (Area under incidence progress curve) and 34.3% for AUSPC (Area under severity progress curve). By increasing the K, there was a square-shaped reduction for both AUIPC and AUSPC. The dry matter of coffee seedlings increased linearly with the increase in the amended N. By increasing the amended N, a corresponding increase in shoot N content was observed. Dosages of potassium significantly influenced the N, K, Ca, S and B contents in the shoot of coffee seedlings. Thus, balanced fertilization, besides minimizing nutritional problems, can be manipulated to reduce the number of fungicide applications in this pathosystem.
Coffea arabica; Phoma tarda; nutrition; coffee tree
