Diversity in <i>Coffea arabica</i> Cultivars in the Mountains of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, Regarding Bean and Leaf Nutrient Accumulation and Physical Fruit Traits
Niquisse J. Alberto,
José C. Ramalho,
Ana I. Ribeiro-Barros,
Alexandre P. Viana,
Cesar A. Krohling,
Sional S. Moiane,
Zito Alberto,
Weverton P. Rodrigues,
Fábio L. Partelli
Affiliations
Niquisse J. Alberto
Breeding Program, Federal University of Espírito Santo, S/N Guararema, Alegre, Vitoria 29375-000, ES, Brazil
José C. Ramalho
Plant Stress & Biodiversity Lab, Forest Research Center (CEF) and Associate Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), Lisboa University (ULisboa), Quinta do Marquês, Av. República, 2784-505 Oeiras, Portugal
Ana I. Ribeiro-Barros
Plant Stress & Biodiversity Lab, Forest Research Center (CEF) and Associate Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), Lisboa University (ULisboa), Quinta do Marquês, Av. República, 2784-505 Oeiras, Portugal
Alexandre P. Viana
Laboratory of Plant Breeding, Center of Agricultural Science and Technology, Darcy Ribeiro State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Brazil
Cesar A. Krohling
Espírito Santo Research Institute, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (Incaper), Vitória 29052-010, ES, Brazil
Sional S. Moiane
Gorongosa National Park, Goinha 2112, Mozambique
Zito Alberto
Gorongosa National Park, Goinha 2112, Mozambique
Weverton P. Rodrigues
Center of Agricultural, Natural and Literary Sciences, State University of the Region of Tocantina do Maranhão (UEMASUL), Brejo do Pinto Ave., Estreito 65975-000, MA, Brazil
Fábio L. Partelli
Department of Agrarian and Biological Sciences (DCAB), Center of Northern Espírito Santo (CEUNES), Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Rod. BR 101 Norte, Km 60, Bairro Litorâneo, São Mateus 29932-540, ES, Brazil
Genetic characteristics and their interaction with environmental conditions, including nutritional management, determine coffee productivity and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate fruit traits and nutrient accumulation in the fruit, husk, and bean, as well as in the leaves of different Coffea arabica cultivars cropped in the Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. The experiment evaluated nine coffee cultivars in a randomized block design, with four replicates. Fruit and leaf samples were collected over two months (June and July 2021), in the fruit maturation phase, oven-dried and analyzed, namely, through a clustering unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The characterization of ripe and dried coffee bean indicated differences in the performance of the cultivars. The accumulation of the macronutrients N, K, and Ca and micronutrients Fe, Mn, and B was highest in the bean, husk, fruit, and leaves of the evaluated cultivars. Nutrient concentrations and accumulation in the different evaluated organs have a direct influence on the nutritional crop management. This is crucial for a nutritional diagnosis that ensures high yields, but such mineral levels are also a result of the existing genetic diversity among cultivars, which must be taken into account for management and breeding purposes.
