Use of copper contributes to leaf retention and coffee productivity

In the largest coffee producing state in the country, Minas Gerais, the 2020 season will see an increase in the harvest. According to an estimate by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the production of Arabica coffee, the region's flagship coffee, is expected to increase 30,2% compared to last year, with 32,2 million bags. Growth, however, required a lot of care from farmers when managing the coffee plantation. In this scenario, farmers found the use of nutritional solutions, such as the micronutrient copper, an alternative to overcoming stresses that affect the plant throughout the cycle.

This is the case of producer Felipe Lemos. In addition to producing 25 hectares in the city of São Sebastião do Paraíso (MG), the coffee grower also works as a technical consultant in the region, and has experienced the challenges of the harvest up close. “This year, we observed some nutritional deficiencies in the plants and damage to the vegetation due to the waterlogged soil. That's why we invest in the use of different nutritional solutions, such as copper, amino acids and calcium. What we could see was an improvement in flower setting and grain filling. Furthermore, with the use of copper we had greater leaf retention, essential for defining the productive potential of the next harvest, as the leaves will help with the absorption of nutrients and production of photoassimilates”, he says.

Copper is essential for balancing the production of the plant hormone ethylene. In high concentrations, the substance can cause intense fall of coffee tree leaves and premature fruit maturation. Furthermore, with proper management, copper brings physiological benefits to the plant throughout its cycle, as explained by agronomist Marcos Revoredo, technical manager at Alltech Crop Science. “Copper is a micronutrient related to several functions, such as the photosynthesis process and the plant's natural resistance to oxidative and climatic stress. Therefore, it is very necessary in all periods of cultivation, both in the vegetative phase, in the growth of leaves and branches, as well as in the reproductive phase, in the moments of flowering and fruiting. A plant deficient in this nutrient will have a greater drop in leaves, flowers and fruits.”

According to Revoredo, adequate nutritional care is essential in the pre- and post-harvest periods, contributing to a more efficient recovery. “Harvesting coffee beans, whether manually or mechanized, is a very stressful phase for the plant, as branches and leaves will break. Thus, it leads to a decrease in your metabolism, which will be aimed at recovery. Therefore, it is extremely important that, both before and after harvest, phytosanitary and nutrient management is carried out, so that we have greater photosynthetic activity”, he states.

As the specialist also highlights, maintaining the leaf area will also impact the development of the coffee tree in subsequent harvests. “Leaves are the major energy generators for the plant, through the process of photosynthesis. The photoassimilates will be used for the growth of branches, filling and formation of grains, directly impacting the quality of this fruit. Care throughout the cultivation cycle, with adequate maintenance of the leaves, will be essential both now and in the following harvest, with the transport of nutrients and energy through these structures”, adds Revoredo.

Technical guidance

For an adequate supply of copper in coffee cultivation, Revoredo suggests using the Copper Crop biotechnological solution, developed by Alltech Crop Science. Counting on organic complex copper in its composition, the product allows better use of the element, in a systemic and safe way. “The great advantage of Cooper Crop is its formulation using bioavailable copper. Thus, we observe better absorption and physiological response from the plant”, he concludes.