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Abstract

Objective: VIUSDI Agro® is a biostimulant that contains amino acids, vitamins and minerals. In Cuba its beneficial effect has been demonstrated mainly in vegetables, sugar cane and tobacco. There is little information about its use in coffee, which is why the investigation was carried out. to assess the effect of the moment of application on the growth of coffee seedlings.

Design/methodology/approach: Experiments were developed in the nursery of the Agro-Forest Research Institute in Tercer Frente, during December 2019 to July 2020 and October 2020 to June 2021 under saran mesh shade. In a completely randomized design, 4 treatments were studied: without VIUSID Agro® (Control); monthly application from the second to the fifth pair of leaves; application on the second, fourth and sixth pair of leaves; on the third and fifth pair of leaves. Height, stem diameter, dry mass, leaf area, posture quality index, as well as agronomic efficiency were evaluated. The data were processed using a simple classification analysis of variance. To compare the means, Duncan's test was applied.

Results: The coffee seedlings responded positively and significantly to the biostimulant. The applications increased the morphological variables evaluated and the efficiency of the applications.

Findings/conclusions: Foliar applications of VIUSID Agro® on the third and fifth pair of leaves were the most efficient and reduced the production costs of coffee plants.