Increased atmospheric CO2 combined with local climatic variation affects phenolics and spider mite populations in coffee trees

Abstract

Modelling studies on climate change predict continuous increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO 2 ] and increase in temperature. This may alter carbon-based phytochemicals such phenolics and modify plant interactions with herbivorous. We investigated the effects of enhanced [CO 2 ] and local climatic variation on young coffee plants, Coffea arabica L. cv Catuaí vermelho IAC-144 and Obatã vermelho IAC-1669-20, cultivated in the FACE (Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) facility under two atmospheric [CO 2 ] conditions. Coffee leaves were evaluated for total soluble phenolics (TSP), chlorogenic (5-CQA) and caffeic (CAF) acids, diversity and population size of mites, along two dry and two rainy seasons. Elevated atmospheric CO 2 (e[CO 2 ]) signifi cantly decreased 5-CQA in cv. Catuaí but did not affect cv. Obatã. Species richness and population size of mites in coffee leaves were not affected by e[CO 2 ] but were strongly related to the seasonal variability of coffee leaf phenolics. In general, high levels of phenolics were negatively correlated with population size while the mite species richness were negatively correlated with 5-CQA and TSP levels. Our fi ndings show that [CO 2 ] enhancement affects phenolics in coffee plants differentially by cultivars, however seasonality is the key determinant of phenolics composition, mite species richness and population size.

A Systematic Review on the Impacts of Climate Change on Coffee Agrosystems

“…In addition, lipid profile modifications in chloroplast membranes are expected to contribute to the coffee plant’s long-term acclimation to climate change under high [CO 2 ] levels [ 99 ]. Others [ 100 ] reported that, besides the overall positive effect of [CO 2 ] on mitigating the harmful CC impacts on the coffee crop, [CO 2 ] reduced the concentration of chlorogenic acid (5-CQA) in Coffea arabica during the dry season when mites and other pests are prevalent. However, the diversity and abundance of mites in coffee leaves were not affected by [CO 2 ], but mite diversity was strongly correlated with seasonal variation in coffee leaf phenolics.…”

“…However, the diversity and abundance of mites in coffee leaves were not affected by [CO 2 ], but mite diversity was strongly correlated with seasonal variation in coffee leaf phenolics. Consequently, it affects the quality of coffee beverages [ 100 ].…”

Looking for adjustments to severe drought in coffee: Lessons of a rainfall exclusion plot in the Southern Brazil

“…Coffee, particularly arabica (Coffea arabica L.), is highly sensitive to climate change and global projections indicate a reduction in the area suitable for its production due to rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns (DaMatta et al, 2018). As result, studies seek to understand the negative impacts of climate change on coffee plants, with an emphasis on anatomical, morphological, physiological, and genetic adjustments that may allow the acclimatization, especially to repeated drought events (Batista et al,2021).…”