ABSTRACT Sugarcane is one of the first activities of economic importance in Brazil. The understanding of the nutritional dynamics at different phenological stages of the sugarcane crop with the use of nitrogen-fixing bacteria has been one of the alternatives to decrease fertilizer consumption and increasing plant production. This study aimed to assess the morphophysiological attributes in the initial growth and nutrition of two sugarcane varieties inoculated with strains of diazotrophic bacteria, individually and in an association, in a greenhouse. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 2 × 8 factorial arrangement with two cultivars (Co 1341-76 and RB 867515) and eight treatments consisting of bacteria inoculated individually with BR 11140T (Azospirillum amazonense), BR 11175T (Herbaspirillum seropedicae), BR 11192T (Herbaspirillum rubrisubalbicans), BR 11281T (Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus), and BR 11366T (Burkholderia tropica), inoculation associated with the studied bacteria, N fertilization with 120 kg ha-1 of N, and absolute control without inoculation and nitrogen fertilization. Plants were conducted for 75 days after germination, and biometric variables and nutrient accumulation were measured. The sprouting rate index and root fresh matter were significant for inoculation (p<0.01). Inoculation with the strains BR 11192T (H. rubrisubalbicans), BR 11281T (G. diazotrophicus), and RB 11366T (B. tropica) showed the best results for root fresh matter regardless of the cultivar. The strains RB 11366T (B. tropica), BR 11192T (H. rubrisubalbicans), and BR 11175T (H. seropedicae) stood out regarding the sprouting rate index. Inoculation showed a significant effect for stem diameter (p<0.01), especially the strains BR 11140T (A. amazonense) and RB 11366T (B. tropica). All inoculations were efficient for the biometric variable related to leaf length. Nitrogen, Fe, and Zn contents showed a significant effect of the interaction between cultivars and inoculation. The inoculation with the strain RB 11366T (B. tropica), total N fertilization, followed by the other inoculations and the control stood out compared to the cultivar Co 1341-76 within the factor inoculation, indicating that the association of this strain with the cultivar Co 1341-76 is more efficient regarding the recommended commercial N dose for sugarcane. The cultivars Co 1341-76 and RB 867515 responded positively to the individual inoculation of strains of diazotrophic bacteria. The strains promoted improvements in some morphological and/or nutritional attributes of sugarcane plants. The strain B. tropica showed the best interaction with the tested cultivars for the biological N fixation, resulting in gains of biomass productivity and nutrient contents when not inoculated.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar fontes alternativas de potássio para melhoria da fertilidade do solo e da produtividade e da qualidade de bebida do cafeeiro. O experimento foi conduzido em lavoura de café (Coffea arabica) plantada em área de Latossolo, no Município de Patrocínio, no Estado de Minas Gerais. Os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação das fontes de K TK47 e Super Greensand (SG) - ambas baseadas no mineral silicatado glauconita -, nas seguintes doses: 0 kg ha-1 de K2O (controle); 42, 84, 168 e 336 kg ha-1 de K2O de TK47; 618 kg ha-1 de K2O de KCl; e 168 kg ha-1 de K2O de SG. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições por tratamento. As unidades experimentais foram constituídas por três linhas de dez plantas cada uma, tendo-se considerado as oito plantas centrais como parcela útil. A adubação potássica com TK47 aumentou a fertilidade do solo, com correção da acidez e com elevação dos teores de K+, P, Ca2+, da capacidade de troca de cátions efetiva, e dos níveis de Zn2+ e Fe2+ no solo. A adubação com 336 kg ha-1 de K2O de TK47, em dose única, proporciona produção de grãos e atividade de polifenoloxidase semelhantes às da fertilização com 618 kg ha-1 de K2O de KCl, de forma parcelada, mas melhor análise sensorial da bebida resultante.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate alternative sources of potassium for improving soil fertility and coffee productivity and beverage quality. The experiment was conducted in a coffee (Coffea arabica) crop, planted in an Oxisol area, in the municipality of Patrocínio, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The treatments consisted of the K sources TK47 and Super Greensand (SG) - both based on glauconite silicate mineral -, at the following doses: 0 kg ha-1 K2O (control); 42, 84, 168, and 336 kg ha-1 K2O from TK47; 618 kg ha-1 K2O from KCl; and 168 kg ha-1 K2O from SG. A randomized complete block design was used, with four replicates in each treatment. The experimental units consisted of three rows with ten plants each, using the eight central plants as the useful plot. Potassium fertilization with TK47 increased soil fertility, correcting soil acidity and elevating K+, P, and Ca2+ contents, effective cation exchange capacity, and Zn2+ and Fe2+ levels in the soil. Fertilization with 336 kg ha-1 K2O from TK47, in a single dose, provides grain yield and polyphenol oxidase activity similar to those of fertilization with 618 kg ha-1 K2O from KCl, in a split-dose, but a better sensory analysis of the resultant beverage.