Abstract
Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) fruits are stronger sinks and is known its development may be more than four times higher than that allocated to branch growth during the annual production cycle. However, the origin and carbohydrates distribution used during the fruiting development are not yet known. Four assimilates sources are potentially available for fruit growth: (i) the photoassimilates produced by the fruit itself, (ii) branch reserves, (iii) leaf reserves and (iv) the current photosynthesis that occurs during fruit growth. To better understand the carbohydrate dynamics, its allocation in coffee fruits and to evaluate fruit dependence on other tree parts at the bean-filling stage, four carbohydrates sources were imposed in fully mature trees in Northeast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Variables such as total sugar and dry mass were analyzed. We observed that leaves from the nodes are very important for fruit development. Comparison between fruits with leaves and fruits without leaves clearly revealed its influence on dry matter and total sugars accumulation in the fruits. The removal or covering of leaves near fruits limits the development of fruit.
Highlights
In perennial plants such as Coffea arabica L. the active vegetative and reproductive growth in field-grown occur concurrently, what causes a competition between these simultaneous sinks by carbohydrates synthesized by plant
Coffee fruits are strong sinks (Cannell, 1985) and, directly impact in the carbohydrates assimilation to other plant organs, a process called carbohydrate partitioning (Taiz & Zeiger, 2013) that results in a differential carbohydrate distribution that depends on the dynamic demand of each of these organs (Bihmidine, Iii, Johns, Koch, & Braun, 2013; Marcelis, 1996)
Four assimilates sources are potentially available for fruit growth: (i) the photoassimilates produced by the fruit itself, (ii) branch reserves, (iii) leaf reserves and (iv) the current photosynthesis that occurs during fruit growth
Summary
In perennial plants such as Coffea arabica L. the active vegetative and reproductive growth in field-grown occur concurrently, what causes a competition between these simultaneous sinks by carbohydrates synthesized by plant. The carbohydrates, produced in leaves of the same season or stored in the plant reserves, are transported to the organs of the plant that cannot satisfy their energy requirement by themselves. These organs, like leaves, roots, branches and fruits, require carbohydrates to achieve their development potential (Erel et al, 2016; Haouari, Van Labeke, Steppe, & Mariem, 2013). The coffee dynamic demand depends on the fruit load and its growth mobilize large quantities of carbohydrates in the rapid expansion phase. Photosynthesis performed by the pericarp is estimated to account only 30% of the total carbon allocated to coffee fruits (Geromel et al, 2006; Vaast, Angrand, Franck, Dauzat, & Génard, 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
