Abstract
In Ethiopia, the coffee production is highly constrained by drought. To overcome such problem, knowing the behavior of coffee genotype’s biomass accumulation pattern to different parts under contrasting moisture stress is important in selection of drought tolerant genotypes. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate and characterize the biomass partitioning patterns of Harerghe coffee genotypes as influenced by deficit irrigation in rain shelter at Jimma agricultural research center. An experiment was conducted in completely randomized block design with three replications, where treatments consisted of three deficit level (40, 80 and 120% of ETc) and six genotypes (H-674/98, H-739/98, H-823/98, H-981/98, H-929/98 and H-857/98). The result showed that the coffee dry-biomass partitioning patterns were significantly varied due deficit irrigation and genotypes as well as their interactions. Overall, the biomass assimilation and allocation were higher for roots (37%) under 40% ETc and finally dropped to 23% under well watered seedlings, the investment made in root at the expense of shoot in drought conditions, enables the plants to extract more water from dipper soil layers, if water is limited in upper soil layers Conversely, the dry matters portioned to leaf were greater (48%) under well watered seedlings and finally dropped to 26% under water stressed conditions. The accumulation of more dry-mater to leaf in well irrigated environment enables the plants to enhance photosynthetic capacity and thereby improve plant growth. Lastly, the study of dry biomass partitioning patterns in different parts of coffee plant is crucial important to decide appropriate watering amount and identifying drought tolerant genotypes for future breeding program under variable climatic conditions.
Highlights
Coffee is one of the most important agricultural commodities, ranking second in international trade after crude oil
All irrigation treatments were scheduled at four days interval based on field capacity determination and daily evaporation, individual varieties subjected to three irrigation amounts namely, 40%, 80% and 120% ETc
Dry Biomass Partitioning Our result showed that, the percent of dry biomass distribution to leaves, stems and roots were quite different with fluctuating soil moistures
Summary
Coffee is one of the most important agricultural commodities, ranking second in international trade after crude oil. The total global production of green coffee is above 134.16 million bags (60 kg capacity) with a retail sales value in excess of $22.7 billion during 2010-11 in the world market. The economics of many coffee growing countries depends heavily on the earnings from this crop. More than 100 million people in the coffee growing areas worldwide derive their income directly or indirectly from the produce of this crop [1]. Coffee (Coffeaarabica L.) plays a significant role in the national economy of Ethiopia, contributing over 60% of the foreign exchange earnings and 30% of the government’s direct revenue. The livelihood of 25% of the population depends on the coffee industry. The average national yield of the crop is very low primarily because of lack of improved varieties for different areas, diseases and pests and seasonal water deficits [2]
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