Fertilización edáfica y foliar en el rendimiento productivo del café criollo (coffea arabica l).

Abstract

In Ecuador the coffee (Coffea arabica L.), they are cultivated on small areas inside the territory, this is characterized by its world-renowned quality, is also one of the most widely used crops as a hot drink. Loja is one of the provinces that produces the most this item, for having a favourable climate for the correct development of the crop, therefore this investigation was developed in the commune Suipira, with the objective of assess the effect of two different fertilizer sources on yields of the coffee criollo or typica (Coffea arabica L.), according to the application of four treatment, using the completely randomized block design or DBCA, arranged in 4 blocks, where each treatment in one block (T1: 60g of Yaramila Complex; T2: 100g of Abotek; T3: 200ml of Seaweed Extract; T4: Control), each with 6 replicates and in each replicate 6 experimental units were evaluated. To verify the effects of fertilization and the significant differences between them, at the moment of harvest, the variables yield (kg/plant.), 100 kernel weight (g), peeled kernel weight (g), husk weight (g) and brix degrees were evaluated. To further highlight these differences between soil and foliar fertilization not only on yield but also on the quality of the drink, the attributes present in the liquid were assessed, the amount of phenols and its antioxidant activity were evaluated. To order to verify the existence of statistical differences between fertilization sources based on the agronomic variables evaluated, a one factor ANOVA analysis was carried out in the IBM SPSS STACTICS 22 software, the results obtained showed no significant differences in yield, 100 kernel weight and husk weight between fertilizer sources, but in the peeled kernel weight and brix degrees showed statistical differences with a significance level lower than the p-value (0.05), with T1 (Yaramila) obtaining the highest kernel weight and T2 (Abotek) the highest degree of sweetness, demonstrating that foliar fertilization alone cannot overcome edaphic fertilization in agronomic aspects. In terms of beverage quality, edaphic fertilization enhanced attributes such as: beverage colour, texture, body, astringency, balance, aftertaste and flavours and was also shown to increase phenol content (12.585 mg GAE/g PS), on the other hand, the foliar obtain a better cream colour, a higher drink and the highest antioxidant activity recorded (192.254 mg TE/ g PS). In terms of flavour, the two fertilizations influenced the fragrance palette. In terms of aromas, citrus, earth and blueberry aromas were present, in roasting, aromas of chocolate, cocoa, nuts and almonds were perceived, in distillation, terpenes and nutmeg, and in retronasal aromas, chocolate, caramel and cinnamon. This shows that fertilization, as well as influencing agronomic characteristics, also influences the guality of the beverage, giving it aromas and flavours that enhance the cup. In addition, to enhance these organoleptic characteristics, good post-harvest handling of the attributes of the coffee.