Field performance of coffee progenies (Coffea arabica L.) in Varginha, Minas Gerais State

Abstract

This work assessed the field performance of compact growth coffee progenies developed by the MAPA/Procafé Foundation breeding program. An experiment was set up at the Procafé Foundation’s Experimental Station in Varginha, Minas Gerais state, using 20 progenies, 16 of which with leaf rust resistance. The evaluations began two and a half years after planting using four repetitions, totalizing 80 plots, each one constituted by four coffee plants. The following characteristics were analyzed: the six first annual harvests (2002 to 2007), husk/bean ratio, cup quality and screen analysis. Crop yield and percentage of moca were assessed in the 2006/2007 annual harvest, while screen classification in 2006/2007 and sensorial classification in 2007/2008. The Sabiá Tardio cv 398 presented the highest yield among all the progenies. The progenies of the Catucaí group (Catucaí Amarelo 24/137 (C.O), Catucaí Vermelho 24/137, Catucaí Vermelho 20/15 cv 476 and Catucaí Vermelho 19/18 cv 221), Sarchimor group (Obatã IAC-1669-20, Tupi IAC 4093, Arara F4), and IBC-Palma-1 (3-12), Saíra cv 362, Topázio MG 1189 and Catuaí Amarelo IAC 74 presented good field performance and are recommended for the Varginha region. These progenies were also considered a good source for genetic breeding programs. The bean size and cup quality of all the progenies were rated good.