Crescimento vegetativo de variedades de coffea arabica L. no município de Areia/PB

Abstract

Coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the world, and the Coffea arabica L. species is the one that currently stands out in terms of beverage quality. In order to ensure that the reintroduction of coffee growing in the Brejo paraibano region is successful, it is necessary to understand how environmental factors affect the development of different varieties. The aim of this experiment was therefore to assess the vegetative growth of varieties of Coffea arabica L. in the municipality of Areia, PB. Data was collected at the Chã de Jardim experimental farm, belonging to the Centro de Ciências Agrárias of UFPB, 426 days after the seedlings were transplanted, where plant height, stem diameter, crown diameter, leaf area and number of plagiotropic branches were assessed. The experimental area was distributed in a plot divided into 3 randomized blocks with three replications, where the plants of the 32 genotypes evaluated were arranged at a spacing of 3 meters between rows and 70 centimeters between plants, in a dryland system. The results were subjected to the Tukey test at 5% significance. Analysis of the data showed that the stem diameter and number of branches were statistically the same for all the varieties; for plant height, Mundo Novo 379/19 had the highest average and Araraçú the lowest; for crown diameter, Acauã Novo had the highest average and Bourbon Amarelo the lowest; and for leaf area, IAC 125 RN had the highest average, while Mundo Novo 379/19 and Catiguá Amarelo 26-EP 19-7 had the lowest. The initial vegetative growth data obtained is compatible with that of plants grown in other regions. It is necessary to continue the analysis in the experimental area, combining the data on initial vegetative growth with vegetative growth in the second year, productivity, and beverage quality in order to provide a better basis for variety recommendations for local farmers.