Characterization of Coffea arabica L. parent plants and physicochemical properties of associated soils, Peru

Abstract

It is important to carry out the morphological characterization of coffee parent plants and the physicochemical properties of the associated soils in the Amazon region, Peru, in order to achieve germplasm conservation. One hundred coffee mother plants were identified and located in five provinces of the region and evaluated according to morphological descriptors such as stipula shape, young leaf color, leaf shape, leaf apex shape, young shoot color, leaf color, fruit color, fruit shape, mature leaf color, and rust incidence percentage. In the plots where the parent plants were located, soil sampling was carried out to determine the physical and chemical properties. The varieties with the greatest presence in the five provinces were Típica and caturra roja, with the greatest number of specimens reported for the province of Bagua. The predominant stipule shape was triangular (91%), lanceolate leaf shape (60%) and red fruit color (90%). Bongará reported the lowest incidence of yellow rust, as well as the Mundo Novo Rojo variety. Soil pH ranged from acidic to neutral values, low electrical conductivity, high organic matter content, low phosphorus content, high potassium levels and medium cation exchange capacity. The predominant textural class was sandy loam. The physical and chemical characterization of the soils under study show favorable ranges to encourage the best development of coffee cultivation.