Dinâmica do crescimento vegetativo e reprodutivo do cafeeiro

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to analyze the dynamics of vegetative and reproductive growth of an adult coffee tree in production. For this, the evaluations were carried out in an adult coffee tree (Coffea arabica L.) of the Arara cultivar, adopting a mean height pattern by collection that was increasing throughout the collections. A vertical gradient (from the apex of the plants to the base of the skirt) was established for all analyzes. Thus, in the vertical direction, three thirds were analyzed in a plant: upper, median and lower. The data were collected at 1-month intervals, and after the end of the experiment the data were organized in meteorological stations. Data on vegetative and reproductive growth were analyzed. These data were: length of plagiotropic branches, number of leaves, leaf area, number of rosettes with fruit, number of flower buds, number of fruits, and from these data reasons were made to elucidate the dynamics. Leaf temperature, canopy temperature, photosynthetically active radiation rate, and mean rainfall index and average temperature of the experimental area were also collected. From these data, behavioral patterns were identified, and it can be concluded that in the year of positive bienniality, the branches of the middle third were more efficient in fruit production, with lower fruit ratios by mean leaf area, presence of fruits on the rosettes. The upper third, despite receiving more radiation, has the photo-assimilates competition between the fruits and new leaves and new shoots produced each cycle. In the lower third, the coffee tree presents high shading rates, causing a greater investment in leaves and secondary and tertiary branches in order to obtain an increase in light uptake.