Genetic parameters and chemical characterization of conilon coffee accessions under irrigation in the Cerrado

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the genetic, phenotypic and environmental parameters related to chemical compounds associated with beverage quality in a conilon coffee collection, grown in an irrigated system, in the Cerrado. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Cerrados using green grains harvested in two years from 84 genotypes of the cultivar Robusta Tropical. Caffeine content, protein, ether extract, total soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant differences were observed at 1% probability among accessions for all evaluated chemical characteristics in both harvest years. The high heritability, genetic coefficients of variation and selective accuracy reveal the potential for achieving genetic gains via the selection of genotypes adapted to the irrigated system in the Cerrado combined with high beverage quality.