The objective of this work was to determine the influence of nitrogen and potassium applied through fertigation, on green dwarf coconut productivity, and the intensity of Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) attack. The study was carried out in a commercial orchard of eight-year old green dwarf coconut, in the Neópolis County, Sergipe State, Brazil. The orchard received through microsprinkling (fertigation), since 2000, the following treatments (grams per plant per year of N and K): 135 and 135; 1,890 and 1,890; 810 and 135; 135 and 810; 1,890 and 810; and 810 and 1,890. Four evaluations were done every three months between April, 2003 and March, 2004, on fruit bunches associated with the leaves 14 and 18. Fruit production was influenced by N and K level applied on the coconut orchard, but mite infestation (from 8 to 80% of fruits) and the damage severity on fruits (from 3 to 47%) were not significantly affected by the chemical fertilization.
Cocos nucifera; plant nutrition; fertigation; nitrogen; potassium
