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Chloride Applied via Fertilizer Affects Plant Nutrition and Coffee Quality.
César Santos1, Marcelo Ribeiro Malta2, Mariana Gabriele Marcolino Gonçalves1
1Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, Brazil.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 25, 2023
Summary
Potassium chloride (KCl) in coffee fertilizer reduces beverage quality, while a blend of 25% KCl and 75% potassium sulfate (K2SO4) optimizes yield. Using K2SO4 solely enhances coffee cup quality.
Area of Science:
- Agronomy and Soil Science
- Plant Nutrition
- Food Science and Technology
Background:
- Potassium (K) is essential for coffee plant growth and beverage quality.
- Fertilizer choice, specifically potassium chloride (KCl) versus potassium sulfate (K2SO4), can impact soil chemistry, plant physiology, and coffee bean characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of varying KCl and K2SO4 fertilizer blends on coffee plant yield and nutritional status.
- To assess the influence of these fertilizer blends on the chemical composition and sensory quality of the coffee beverage.
Main Methods:
- Field experiment using randomized blocks with six treatments (varying KCl:K2SO4 ratios) and a control.
- Analysis of soil and leaf K and Cl content, soil chloride stocks, coffee yield, K and Cl removal in beans.
- Evaluation of coffee cup quality, polyphenol oxidase activity (PPO), electric conductivity (EC), potassium leaching (KL), phenolic compounds, total sugars (TS), and total titratable acidity (TTA).
Main Results:
- Reduced KCl proportion decreased soil chloride stocks.
- KCl fertilization negatively impacted cup quality and PPO activity, likely due to chloride ions.
- Increased chloride application correlated with higher potassium leaching, EC, and titratable acidity, indicating cellular damage.
- Coffee yield was optimized with a blend of 25% KCl and 75% K2SO4.
- 100% K2SO4 resulted in the highest cup quality scores.
Conclusions:
- Chloride from KCl negatively affects coffee beverage quality and plant physiology.
- Optimizing fertilizer blends, favoring K2SO4, is crucial for enhancing coffee yield and sensory attributes.
- The study highlights the detrimental effects of excessive chloride on coffee production and quality.
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