The coffee seedlings require an adequate water supply because the water stress can cause reductions in growth and subsequently in the production field. The hypothesis of this research was that the hydrogel used as a substitute for the irrigation of seedlings of 'Iapar 59' coffee provides quality equal or higher seedling irrigated. The experiment was conducted in a screened seed nursery (50 shading) in Presidente Prudente city, São Paulo State, Brazil, since February to October 2008. The statistical design was completely randomized, with 5 treatments (without polymer and without irrigation; 0.0; 1.0; 2.0 and 3.0g of hydrogel per polythene bag without irrigation) and 20 repetitions. We conducted six periodic evaluations: number of leaves (NF), dry matter of aerial part (MSPA) and roots (MSR); length of aerial part (CPA) and roots (CR) and the MSPA/MSR. Under test conditions, the use of hydrogel in the dose of 2g per polyethylene bag results in seedlings of same quality of seedlings irrigated. The MSPA/MSR relation was higher for the irrigated treatment.
soil water retention; seedling production; polymers
