Agronomic, anatomic and physiological characterization of Coffea arabica L. genotypes on irrigated system in the Central Cerrado

Abstract

Due to climatic conditions and the possibility of using machineries, coffee has a potential to achieve high yields with reduced costs, in the biome of Cerrado. Leaf anatomy and physiology can help in the identification of more adapted cultivars to a given environmental condition. The objective is to verify the behavior of Coffea arabica L. genotypes in the Cerrado of the Brazilian Central Plateau through anatomical and physiological characterization and yield. Ten coffee genotypes from the Active Germplasm Bank located in the municipality of Planaltina, Distrito Federal, were evaluated. The genotypes evaluated were: Araponga MG1, Catiguá MG2, Catiguá MG3 P23, Catiguá MG3 P7, Catiguá MG3 P51, Catiguá MG3 P, Catuaí Amarelo IAC 62, Catuaí Vermelho IAC 15, Paraíso MG1 and Topázio MG 1190. The phenotypic characteristics evaluated were the thickness of: adaxial cuticle surface, adaxial and abaxial epidermis surfaces, the palisade and spongy parenchyma, the mesophyll layer, the phloem, number and diameter of the xylem vessels, stomatal density, relationship between the polar and equatorial diameter of the stoma, specific leaf area, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, intercellular carbon concentration and yield. Genotypes of Coffea arabica L. presented a distinction between the characteristics evaluated when grown under climatic conditions of the Brazilian Central Plateau Cerrado, highlighting the variations in the behavior and distinguished adaptation in this environment. The Araponga MG1 genotype stood out for anatomical and physiological characteristics of higher values, such as net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular carbon concentration, abaxial and adaxial epidermis thickness, stomatal density and number of xylem vessels. The genotype Paraíso MG1 stands out for higher grain productivity. The genotype Catuaí Vermelho IAC 15 stands out for anatomical and physiological characteristics such as higher stomatal density, greater number of xylem vessels and greater efficiency in water use, resulting in improved productivity.