Growth, relative water content, transpiration and photosynthetic pigment content in coffee trees (Coffea arabica L.) growing at different sunlight regimes

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L. Rodríguez

Abstract

The effect of different light regimes (100, 85 and
70 % solar exposition) on coffee plants (Coffea arabica L. var.
Caturra) was studied. There was an overall effect of solar
exposition levels on growth at different crop growth stages,
plant height and stem diameter being the most affected variables
with higher values in 85 % solar exposition. Relative water
content showed daily variations with minimum values at
midday for higher exposition level treatments. Transpiration
was slightly higher in 100 % level at 11:00 h, and an increased
chlorophyll a and b content was observed in 85 % solar
exposition, while carotene content was similar in the three
levels. The total chlorophyll a+b showed a highest value in
the 85 % level of solar exposition. Results indicated some
adaptability features of coffee plants to slight shade conditions,
because of the constancy observed for chlorophyll a/b ratio
among solar radiation exposition levels, and the highest
vegetative growth showed in moderated shade (85 % solar
exposition).

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How to Cite
Rodríguez, L. (2013). Growth, relative water content, transpiration and photosynthetic pigment content in coffee trees (Coffea arabica L.) growing at different sunlight regimes. Cultivos Tropicales, 22(4), 37–41. Retrieved from https://ediciones.inca.edu.cu/index.php/ediciones/article/view/680
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Original Article