Comparison between grafting and cutting as vegetative propagation methods for conilon coffee plants

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the growth of conilon coffee tree plantlets that were propagated by grafting and cutting. The experiment was conducted at the plantlet production site of Incaper’s Experimental Farm in the city of Marilândia, Espírito Santo State. For grafting, plantlets derived from the seed propagation of Coffea canephora cv. Robusta Tropical (ENCAPER 8151) were used as rootstocks, and six clones of cv. Conilon Vitória (INCAPER 8142) were used as the grafts. The cutting was performed with six clones that were used for grafting. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks of twelve treatments with five repetitions composed of twelve plantlets. On the hundred and fifth day, the averages of the variables were assessed and compared by the Scheffé test at a probability of 5%. The grafted plantlets were superior for almost all of the characteristics assessed, which suggests that it is possible to propagate conilon coffee trees.Objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento de mudas propagadas por enxertia e por estaquia no cafeeiro Conilon. O experimento foi conduzido no viveiro de produção de mudas da Fazenda Experimental do Incaper, no município de Marilândia, Estado do Espírito Santo. Na enxertia utilizou-se como porta-enxerto, mudas provenientes de propagação seminífera, da espécie Coffea canephora, cv. Robusta Tropical (ENCAPER 8151), e como enxerto, seis clones do cv. Conilon Vitória (INCAPER 8142). A estaquia foi realizada com seis clones usados na enxertia. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com doze tratamento e cinco repetições composta de doze mudas. Aos 150 dias avaliou-se as médias das variáveis, que foram comparadas pelo teste de Scheffé a 5% de probabilidade. Detectou-se superioridade para as mudas enxertadas em quase todas as características avaliadas, sendo, portanto mais uma possibilidade para a propagação do cafeeiro conilon.