Pit Dimensions in the Early Development of Conilon Coffee Propagated by Seeds and Cuttings

Abstract

The knowledge about the interactions between pit dimensions and propagation methods can provide important information for the Conilon coffee crop since these basic steps can influence the entire production cycle of the tillage. The objective of this study was to access the initial development (vegetative and radicular) of Conilon coffee propagated by seed and stake and cultivated in pits with different dimensions. The experiment was a randomized block design with four replicates of three plants. The treatments were arranged in a 2x3 factorial scheme, with two propagation methods (seed and cutting), and three pit dimensions (20x20x20 cm, 30x30x30 cm and 40x40x40 cm). The number of leaves, stem diameter, plant height, main root length, root volume, dry mass of aerial part and root, and relation aerial/root part, were evaluated 18 months after transplanting. There was a significant interaction between the propagation methods and the pit dimensions, only for the number of leaves and root length, wherein the smaller pits, the seedlings propagated by seed were superior to the clonal ones. The other variables analyzed presented significant differences only for the pit dimensions factor. The initial development of the Conilon coffee isn't influenced by the propagation method. The pit dimensions directly affects the initial development of the Conilon coffee Incaper ‘Vitória 8142' clone number 10, and pits with the largest dimensions provide an increase in the initial development of the plants.