Phosphorus use efficiency by coffee cultivars and morphological adaptation of the root system under nutrient deficiency

Author(s)

Ana Paula Neto

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2014-02-21

Examining board members

José Laercio Favarin; Herminia Emilia Prieto Martinez; Dirceu de Mattos Junior; Milton Ferreira de Moraes

• Advisor: José Laercio Favarin

Abstract

Phosphorus is a nutrient essential to agricultural production, finite and irreplaceable in their functions in plant metabolism. Low P availability in tropical soils is related to its strong interaction with colloids and ions in soil solution by means of adsorption and precipitation, which reduce the fraction available. Plants develop adaptation mechanisms under P deficiency in soils. Several studies indicate genotypic variation of plants in relation to the efficient use of P. Increased use efficiency can be achieved by increasing soil nutrient acquisition (uptake efficiency) and by enhancing production per unit of P absorbed (utilization efficiency). The objective of this study was to characterize cultivars of the species Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora regarding the use of P, group them in terms of efficiency and response to P and assess the morphological adaptations of the root system of coffee cultivars subjected to low availability of P. Coffee growth reduced under low availability of P, and P concentration was higher in cultivars of C. canephora. Young leaves concentrated more P, mostly in the form of Pi. Mycorrhizal colonization of C. arabica was higher in the roots under P deficiency, and the activity of the phosphatase acid enzyme did not vary with nutrient levels. Cultivars of C. canephora were efficient in P uptake, while the cultivars of C. arabica were more efficient in nutrient utilization. P efficiency varied between the coffee cultivars, and E16 Shoa, E22 Sidamo, Iêmen and Acaiá were efficient and responsive. P deficiency reduced growth and biomass accumulation in the coffee plant, but increased the root/shoot ratio in C. arabica. Roots under P deficiency were thinner and grew less. The P uptake efficiency correlated positively with the surface area, length, root volume, number of branches and root tissue density, and negatively with the specific length. P utilization efficiency correlated positively with height, number of leaves, dry matter and root/shoot ratio, and negatively with the concentration and accumulation of P in the tissues. Cultivars that were more efficient in P uptake showed more surface area, length, root volume and root tissue density, and smaller specific length under P deficiency. The most P efficient cultivars were: E22 Sidamo, Acaiá, Jimma Tane, Obatã, Ouro Verde, Caturra Amarelo, Icatu Precoce and Guarini. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/11745-9 - Phosphorus use efficiency by coffee cultivars and magnesium supply in phosphorus absorption
• Grantee: Ana Paula Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate