Desenvolvimento inicial de genótipos de café (Coffea arabica L.) no município de Areia - Pb.

Abstract

Coffee is widely grown and consumed in many ways not only in Brazil, but throughout the world and has contributed effectively to the current economic sector of our country. In order to increase the productivity of the Arabica coffee crop and improve its quality, it is of utmost importance to implement crop renewal programs that insert adapted cultivars that have characteristics necessary for their proper development. The objective of this work was to evaluate the development of 21 coffee genotypes (Coffea arabica) cultivated under the microclimate of Brejo Paraibano region. The experiment was installed in an experimental field belonging to the Department of Phytotechnology and Environmental Sciences in the community of Chã do Jardim, rural area of the city of Areia-PB. After soil preparation and fertilization, following the recommendation for cultivation, the seedlings of 21 genotypes of Coffea arabica were transplanted. After 12 months of transplanting, the following variables were evaluated: Leaf area (FA); Plant height (AP); Diameter of the stem (DCa); Cup diameter (DCo); Number of branches (NR) and fruiting index (IF). The data were submitted to analysis of variance and Scott-Knot Test at 5% probability. Regarding the height of the plants, number of branches, crown diameter, and stem diameter, there was no statistical difference between the genotypes. In the evaluation of the leaf area, two groups were formed, the first one, with 13 genotypes, ranging from 38.81 to 29.21 cm and the second group, containing eight genotypes, ranging from 27.27 to 21.08 cm. In relation to the fruiting index, three groups were formed: the first, with 8 genotypes, ranging from 68.97 to 43.26% of plants with fruits, the second with 3 genotypes, all with 30.75% of plants with fruits and the third group, with 10 genotypes, ranging from 19.21% to 0.0% of fruit plants. In general, coffee plants show satisfactory development vegetative. However, new evaluations must be carried out over time, in order to determine which genotypes are best adapted to the Paraibano Brejo.