Effect of genotype and NPK fertilizer on seedlings of Arabica coffee and its genetic variability

Abstract

Genetic make-up and maintenance of seedlings are influencing factors for cultivation of arabica coffee. The goal of this experiment was to study the effect of genotypes of arabica coffee and NPK fertilizer on seedlings performance and genetic variability of seedlings. A factorial experiment with randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at experimental garden of Agriculture Faculty of Universitas HKBP Nommensen in Medan. Thirtytwo genotypes of arabica coffee and four levels of NPK fertilizer was tested. The result revealed that genotype differences were highly significant in plant height, the age at which the cotyledons open, and phenotype ratios. Genotype G3 from District Dairi performed the earliest age at the cotyledon opening (13.67 days). NPK fertilizer differences were significant to highly significant. Variance component of genotypes (VG) contributed 17.76% to total variance (VT) in ratio of plant height to age at the opening of cotyledon. Genotype showed greater variance than NPK fertilizer. Genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) varied from 1.13% to 8.17% and from 10.75% to 18.37%, respectively. It can be concluded that the role of genotype is more decisive than the role of NPK fertilizer, and genotypes showed genotypic and phenotypic variability.