From anthesis to harvest: evolution of the fructification of Conilon coffee genotypes grown at a transitional altitude

Abstract

Beginning with anthesis, this study aimed to evaluate the growth evolution of fruits of nine genotypes of Conilon coffee with an early cycle of maturation that were cultivated at a transitional altitude. The experiment was conducted in a competition field with Coffea canephora genotypes at a 647-m altitude, following a randomized block design with nine treatments, four replicates, and the genotypes making up the cultivar “Diamante ES8112” (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, and 109). From the anthesis day, evaluations were made every 28 days, ending with the harvest, at which time the characteristics of growth and biomass accumulation of flowers and fruits of each genotype were evaluated. All analyzed characteristics of the flowers and fruits cultivated at a transitional altitude showed differentiation between the nine early-maturing Conilon genotypes. Altitude cultivation increased the duration of fruit development phases, averaging from 252 to 308 days among genotypes, from anthesis to harvest. Genotype 106 stood out for the fewest flowers and fruits per reproductive node and lowest fruit holding rates and dry biomass, whereas genotype 108 stood out for the most flowers and fruits per reproductive node, largest flower diameter, highest fruit holding rate, and greatest dry biomass.