The knowledge and management of the principal factors related to production and irrigation is highly important. Irrigation effects on vegetative growth and yield of coffee were evaluated, from initial growth up to five years of production. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 6 treatments and three replications. The water depths applied were based on Class A evaporation pan (ECA), as 60% (T2); 80% (T3); 100% (T4); 120% (T5); and 140% (T6) of ECA, as well as a non irrigated control (T1). The following parameters were evaluated in each season: vegetative variable and the yields obtained during the years 2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. Although no statistical differences could be observed in yearly harvests after comparing the total production obtained in each treatment, significant differences were obtained when non irrigated to irrigated plots were compared, especially for the 60% ECA. At this level, the total production was 225.6 bags and the average was 45.12 bags ha-1, 119% larger than the non irrigated plots, where the yield was 22.5 bags ha-1 per year.
irrigation; coffee; center pivot; class A evaporation pan
