In view of the importance of knowing fruit micronutrients export from the soil, and the season in which its coffee-plant demand is higher, the accumulation of B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in fruits as well as the variation in the leaf content of the elements in productive branches of Arabic coffee was studied. The trial was performed in the period between anthesis and maturation at two altitudes. The experiment consisted of the coffee (Coffea arabica L.) variety Catuaí IAC 44 cultivated at 720 and 950 m asl, in Martins Soares, MG, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized with 3 repetitions using split-plots in time. The altitude affected the reproduction cycle of the coffee trees, particularly the time required for fruit formation. Micronutrient accumulation for fruits as well as grain filling are more critical at lower altitude since plants need to complete these processes in a shorter time. In the fast fruit expansion stage the percentages of micronutrient accumulation was higher in plants at 720 m than at 950 m asl. In general, the altitude influenced the variation in leaf nutrient content, although no response pattern to higher altitude was observed in the leaf concentration. It is concluded that the altitude of coffee plantations affects cycle extension, micronutrient accumulation in fruits and the variation of them in coffee plant leaves.
plant physiology; Coffea arabica L.; mineral nutrition; temperature
