Unraveling Drought Tolerance and Sensitivity in Coffee Genotypes: Insights from Seed Traits, Germination, and Growth-Physiological Responses

Habtamu Chekol (), Yimegnu Bezuayehu, Bikila Warkineh, Tesfaye Shimber, Agnieszka Mierek-Adamska, Grażyna B. Dąbrowska and Asfaw Degu
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Habtamu Chekol: Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 3434, Ethiopia
Yimegnu Bezuayehu: Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 3434, Ethiopia
Bikila Warkineh: Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 3434, Ethiopia
Tesfaye Shimber: Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa 2003, Ethiopia
Agnieszka Mierek-Adamska: Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
Grażyna B. Dąbrowska: Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
Asfaw Degu: Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 3434, Ethiopia

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-35

Abstract: The coffee plant is highly susceptible to drought, and different genotypes exhibit varying degrees of tolerance to low soil moisture. The goal of this work was to explore the interrelation between seed traits and germination events, growth patterns, and physiological responses of coffee genotypes, aiming to identify significant associations that may facilitate the selection of coffee genotypes exhibiting enhanced drought tolerance and yield potential. Two consecutive experiments were conducted to examine the impact of these factors. In the first experiment, germination performance was examined for three groups of coffee genotypes: relatively tolerant ( Ca 74140, Ca 74112, and Ca 74110), moderately sensitive ( Ca 74158, Ca 74165, and Ca J-21), and sensitive ( Ca 754, Ca J-19, and Ca Geisha). The subsequent experiment focused on the growth and physiological responses of two relatively tolerant ( Ca 74110 and Ca 74112) and two sensitive ( Ca J-19 and Ca 754) genotypes under drought stress condition. The relatively tolerant genotypes showed quicker and more complete germination compared to other groups. This was associated with higher moisture content, higher seed surface area to volume ratio, and higher coefficient of velocity of germination, coefficient of variation of germination time, and germination index. Additionally, the relatively tolerant genotypes showed higher seedling vigor. The results of the second experiment demonstrated superior growth performance in relative tolerant genotypes compared to the sensitive groups. Young coffee plants belonging to relatively tolerant genotypes exhibited higher growth performance than the sensitive genotypes, with a net assimilation rate strongly correlated to relative water content, leaf number, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll-a. In addition, a strong correlation was exhibited between the growth of young coffee plants and the surface area to volume ratio of the seeds, as well as the germination percentage. The seedling vigor index showed a strong correlation with net assimilation rate, chlorophyll content, seedling growth, and cell membrane stability. Furthermore, principal component analysis illustrated distinct clustering of genotypes based on their germination and growth-physiological performance. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that seed traits, germination, and post-germination events are integral factors in determining drought tolerance and sensitivity, as well as the growth and physiological responses of adult coffee plants.

Keywords: Arabica coffee; drought; genotype; seed; germination; moisture content; seedling vigor; gas exchange; cell membrane stability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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