Spatial distribution of the root system of Conilon and Arabica coffee plants

Abstract

<jats:p>Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the root system of Conilon coffee (Coffea canephora) and Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) plants in the soil profile, using semivariograms. The evaluations were carried out in an area located in the municipality of Jaguaré, in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The Verdebrás G30/G35 Conilon coffee and the Catuaí Vermelho IAC 44 Arabica coffee cultivars were assessed. Soil monoliths with coffee plant roots were collected at three distances from the trunk in the planting row and at six distances from the trunk between rows, at six depths. The roots were collected and washed and then digitized and processed in the Safira software. The spatial variability of the evaluated attributes was characterized by the geostatistical technique, through semivariograms, using the GS+ 7.0 software. Root surface area, length, and volume were quantified for the two coffee species. Conilon coffee plants have a tendency of showing a root system with a smaller surface area, shorter length, and lower volume by volume of soil, as well as a less discrepant distribution on soil surface and in deeper layers, compared with Arabica coffee.</jats:p>

Variability of Root System Size and Distribution among Coffea canephora Genotypes

“…In addition to the fact that these genotypes stand out due to their high productivity and good plant performance, even after five years of harvests and without the application of programmed pruning, the root system seems to be well developed, similar to what has been observed in other studies already mentioned [16,19]. We can say that the distribution of the root system may be different between different genotypes, with those capable of accessing deeper soil layers and a greater area around the plant, as well as those in which the root system is concentrated in the more superficial layers of the soil.…”

“…The root systems in Conilon coffee plants can be considered shallow and well distributed horizontally [19]. This pattern was previously observed [13,13,16,19], and could be due to the cloning system, which it is not limited to a single pivot root, as observed in Arabica coffee trees, because their propagation is primarily by seeds [13,19].…”

“…SDIs were rated as: strong, ≤ 25%; moderate, 25 to 75%; and weak, ≥ 75% [19]. Kriging was performed using the Surfer program (Golden Software, LLC, USA), and variable maps from spatial distribution data were developed.…”

“…Studying root systems is a heavy cost and laborious process that usually requires uprooting the plants, which can become disadvantageous in the field and in perennial crops such as coffee [15,18]. Tools such as root imaging diagnosis and geostatistics make it possible to map the dynamics of root profiles, ant to expand our knowledge regarding the distribution roots for nutritional and water absorption [14,19]. Therefore, knowing the spatial distribution of the roots along the soil profile both vertically and horizontally on the scales between the plants and between the planting lines (greater spacing) allows one to relate the distribution of roots in the soil profile to the plant capacity to explore the soil to nutrients and water ratio.…”

Karakter Perakaran Sejumlah Varietas Kopi Arabika pada Fase Bibit di Pesemaian

“…Akar tanaman kopi dapat menembus jauh ke dalam tanah (Defrenet et al 2016), meskipun sekitar 90% perakarannya hanya berkembang di lapisan tanah bagian atas (kedalaman 30 -50 cm) (Kufa dan Perakaran Kopi Arabika Fase Bibit Burkhardt 2013; Vicente et al 2017). Kopi Arabika mempunyai persebaran akar yang lebih luas dan perakaran yang lebih panjang dibandingkan kopi Robusta (Partelli et al 2020).…”