Evaluation of the caffeine content in leaves and grains of arabica coffee accessions
Authors
Alexsandro Teixeira
Embrapa Rondônia
Paulo Prado
Universidade Federal de Lavras
Kaio Dias
Universidade Federal de Lavras
Marcelo Malta
Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais
Flávia Gonçalves
Universidade Federal de Lavras
Keywords:
Coffea arabica L, Genetic breeding, Correlation phenotypic, Early selection
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify, within the germplasm bank of the Minas Gerais state, Coffea arabica L. accessions with low levels of caffeine and check the correlation between grain and leaves in seedling stage, making possible the practice of early selection. Seventy-five coffe accessions (cultivars, hybrids and several wild genotypes) were evaluated from the coffee germplasm bank of the Minas Gerais state. In the correlation study, eight cultivars were used on randomized complete block design with three replications. Were evaluated the caffeine levels in the grains and the third and fourth pair of true leaves. Six accessions had caffeine levels in grains smaller than 0.88%. Was also detected a significant correlation between the caffeine levels in the third (0.69) and fourth (0.92) pair of leaves and grains. Genotypes were identified with low levels of caffeine and great yield may be used as parental in breeding programs. It is possible to perform early selection for caffeine content in coffee plants, still in the seedling stage, by evaluating the fourth pair of leaves.
