This work evaluated the effect of different periods of irrigation (A - between 06/01 and 09/30; B - between 09/01 and 09/30; C (control) - without irrigation), on productivity, grain yield and leaf water potential of the coffee crop cultivar (Coffea arabica L), cv. Catuaí - Red (IAC 44). The experiment was carried out in 18 years old coffee crop, with 3.5 m of distance between lines of plants and 0.8 m between plants. The leaf water potential was evaluated between 0600 and 1200 hrs, in the period from May until October for the years 2003 and 2004. The high sensitivity of this physiological indicator to irrigation was identified, and that the irrigation from 06/01 to 09/30 (treatment A) always showed the best leaf water status, as well as the best performance of productivity, with a mean value of 4617 kg ha-1. The results corroborate with the fact that the productivity of the crop maintained a direct relationship with its leaf water status and especially with the leaf water potential, which showed itself to be a physiological indicator with good discriminating powers, and for this reason, suitable to be utilized as a reference in the irrigation management.
water management; irrigated coffee; physiology indicator
