Morphology of the coffee root system using polyethylene film

In the initial phase of the coffee crop, the control of weeds and water availability for the establishment of the plants is a concern. The polyethylene cover can positively influence the chemical and biological characteristics of the soil and, consequently, the root system. The objective of this work was to evaluate the morphology of the root system of coffee plants using polyethylene mulching of different widths and colors. Coffee was planted in December 2016 using the cultivar Topázio MG-1190. A randomized repetitions design was used, with four blocks and five treatments, as follows: 1.20-m wide white/black mulching, 1.40-m white/black mulching, 1.20-m silver/black mulching, 1.40-m silver /black mulching, and no mulching. Total root dry matter per soil volume, total root length per soil volume, total root volume per soil volume, total root area per soil volume, specific root surface, specific root length, and mean root diameter were all evaluated. Roots with smaller diameters were concentrated in the 0-0.20 m depth layer, while in the 0.20-0.40 m depth layer, roots with larger diameters were found. Plants grown in 1.20-m silver/black mulching showed a greater surface area and a specific length of the roots.