Effects of different VIUSID Agro® concentrations on the growth of Coffea arabica L. seedlings

Resumen

Objective: The VIUSID Agro® biostimulant contains amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. It was subjected to a biocatalytic process of molecular activation to improve its biological activity. In Cuba, its benefits have been demonstrated mainly in vegetables, sugar cane, and tobacco.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The effect of the product on the morpho-agronomic traits of coffee seedlings was evaluated through experiments carried outin the nursery of the Instituto de Investigaciones Agro-Forestales of Tercer Frente, from December 2019 to July 2020 and from October 2020 to June 2021, using a saran shade cloth. In a completely randomized design, 6 concentrations of VIUSID Agro® (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 mL L ^-1 of water) were applied monthly on thesecond to the fifth pair of leaves. Seedling height, stem diameter, dry mass, leaf
area, quality index, and efficiency were evaluated. Data were processed using a simple classification analysis of variance. The means were compared with Duncan´´  s test. The concentrations and the leaf area were adjusted to several functions and the one with the highest coefficient of determination was selected.
Results: Coffee seedlings had a positive response to the biostimulant. The monthly foliar applications of VIUSID Agro® between the second and the fifth pair of leaves increased the morpho agronomic indicators of the seedlings.
Findings/Conclusions: VIUSID Agro® in concentrations ranging between 0.64 and 0.71mL L ^-1 of water caused significant increases in the leaf area of the seedlings.