Desenvolvimento vegetativo de linhagens de cafeeiro (Coffea arabica L.) nas condições de cerrado em Patrocínio-MG

Abstract

Coffee is a perennial plant, of great importance for the national agribusiness. Currently, Brazil is the world's largest producer and the second largest consumer. The state of Minas Gerais produces almost half of the grains of the country, and the Cerrado region contributes positively to this production, according to geographic and climatic conditions favorable for this culture. However, in addition to the volume, it is important to meet the quality desired by consumers, with productivity, and competitive costs. Balancing productivity with quality requires the correct choice of the most suitable cultivar. This study compared the development of eight coffee cultivars (C. arabica) in the Cerrado region of Patrocínio, considering the variables vegetative stem diameter, plant height, crown diameter, number of flowering branches and number of nodes the primary branches. The experiment was installed in São Bernardo, farm located in Patrocínio / MG. Seedling planting was done on 10th and 11th January 2011 and data collection occurred at 6, 9 and 12 months after planting. Cultivars Acauã / FEX 1365; Red Catuaí/IAC 99 and / IAC 144, Topazio/MG 1190; Yellow Catuaí/IAC 62; Tupi/RN IAC 1669-13 (IBC-12), Mundo Novo/IAC 379 -19 and Yellow Bourbon were evaluated. The experimental design was a randomized block design (RBD), with eight treatments and four replications, with plots split in time. The plot consisted of six plants, using the four central plants for data collection. The spacing used was 3.80 m (between rows) x 0.60 m (between plants). Analysis of variance was done by the F test and when significant, averages were compared by the Scott-Knott test. The averages of evaluation times were submitted to the adjustment of the linear regression model and linear correlation coefficient were calculated between the variables. The vegetative characteristics of plant height and number of primary branches were significantly different among the cultivars. The cultivar Acauã/FEX 1365 showed lower vegetative growth in all traits. The cultivar Catuaí Vermelho/IAC 99 performed similarly to the tall cultivars. The correlation was positive and highly significant between all the characteristics. It is necessary to continue the experiment for four more harvests in order to perform the correlation between the vegetative characteristics and productivity.