Ocorrência de deficiência de cobre em cafèzais de solos podzolizados de Lins e Marília

Abstract

Leaf samples from coffee plants (Coffea arabica 'Mundo Novo') shewing overall egg shape, curling in S, white areas along and parallel to the veins, and crinkled chlorotic edges, were received from Vera Cruz county (São Paulo State) from, a culture established in a Podzolized Lins and Marilia soils. These symptoms were similar to the previously described copper deficiency signs, which were, however, so far observed only in hydroponic cultures under experimental conditions Chemical analyses of the leaves revealed a low copper content, well below 4 ppm, which is considered as t h e lowest critical level for coffee in São Paulo State. Due to the high phosphorus content in these samples it is suspected that copper deficiency was induced by a heavy application of phosphate fertilizers, as noticed in citrus