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Effect of fertilizer nitrogen on drought resistance in Coffea arabica L.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

A. J. Tesha
Affiliation:
Coffee Research Foundation, Ruiru, Kenya
D. Kumar
Affiliation:
Coffee Research Foundation, Ruiru, Kenya

Summary

When coffee trees have a good supply of nitrogen they are less affected by drought. Explanation and evidence are presented. Trees treated with extra nitrogen contained more adenosine triphosphate, aqueous protein and ‘bound water’.

Such N-rich trees exhibited lower transpiration rates than trees relatively poor in N when water supply was limiting. They had lower stomatal density and water saturation deficit values. Leaves maintained higher chlorophyll and turgidity. The conclusion is that nitrogen increases the drought-resisting capacity of coffee trees. This aspect was clearly reflected in yield, as nitrogen-rich trees produced more coffee beans.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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