The effects of N and K availabilities on both growth of coffee plant seedlings and attack by the leaf-miner (Leucoptera coffeella-Guérin-Ménèville) to these coffee plants were evaluated. The experiment was carried out in nutritive solution under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of a complete factorial scheme composed by 4 doses of nitrogen and 4 of potassium on a entirely randomized design with three replicates and two plants per plot.The plants were infested with the leaf miner when they were 6 months old. Two months latv. 1,v. 1,er they were evaluated.The obtained data were submited to variance, regression and correlation analysis. Protein content presented positive correlation with the attack of the coffee leaf-miner, while the contents of lignin, starch and total soluble sugars showed a negative correlation. The stronger attack of the leaf-miner occurred in the most vigorous coffee seedlings which were provided with an adequate nitrogen nutrition.
Coffea arabica; nitrogen; potassium; interaction insect-plant
