This study was conducted in an experimental coffee (Topázio MG-1190) plantation at the Universidade Federal de Lavras, located in Lavras, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The 28-month-old experimental coffee plantation was established with a narrow spacing between plants (1.8 x 0.70 m) and is drip irrigated. In July of 1998, the installation of 4 L h-1 discharge emitters spaced at 0.40 m formed a wetted stripe along plant lines. The treatments were six different irrigation seasons: T0 not irrigation, T1 (irrigation from April to July), T2 (irrigation from April to June), T3 (irrigation from September to November), T4 (irrigation from May to June), and T5 (irrigation from August to October). During the irrigation season an amount of water corresponding to 83% of the evaporation of a Class A pan was applied every Tuesday and Friday. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and to a Scott-Knott test of means. Vegetative growth, yield and yield quality from the 99/00 crop season were analyzed. Among all parameters used to quantify vegetative growth only stem diameter and plant height showed response to the treatments. The treatment T3, in contrast to T5, anticipated maturation, presenting more than 70% of grains at the raisin-grain and dry-grain stage. With respect to crop yield, neither the amount produced nor the percentage of coffee beans that fell on the soil before harvest showed significant differences between treatments. Both chemical and sensorial qualities were adequate, fulfilling the requirements for exportation.
drip irrigation; Coffea arabica L.
