The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of a short drought period in the middle of the rainy season on nitrogen assimilation of coffee plants shaded by avocado (Persea americana Mill.) and Inga edulis Mart. in comparison with unshaded plants, in January (drought period of rainy season) and March (end of rainy season), with 5 replications per experimental field. The highest nitrate-N foliar content was observed in the full sun system, in all evaluations. In March, there was higher organic N accumulation in the upper third of the canopy of full sun plants and in the middle part of the shaded coffee. Higher values of nitrate-N and a tendency to a higher nitrate reductase activity were found in the shaded coffee, when evaluations were carried out in the same part of the coffee canopy.
Tree planting; growth; nitrate reductase; Coffea arabica L