Morphological characterization of five coffee varieties (Coffea arabica L.) and its resistance to rust (Hemileia vastatrix), in the Alto Huallaga Valley, Tingo María

Abstract

The objective was to morphologically characterize 13 qualitative characters of five coffee varieties of the Coffea arabicaL. species (Colombia, Catimor, Limani, Catuai and Caturra) and to evaluate their degree of resistance to yellow rust. The research was carried out at the EEASanta Ana Coffee Technological Innovation Pilot Center, Tingo María. The list of coffee descriptors from the International Resources Institute was used and the characters responsible for the greatest variability in the varieties were determined by means of multivariate analysis of grouping using NTSYS 2.0 software. Also, the incidence of rust (Hemileia vastatrix) in the five varieties was evaluated. Of the 13 qualitative characteristics evaluated in five varieties, nine characteristics were similar (branching habit: with many primary and secondary branches, insertion angle: semi erect, stipule shape: oval, leaf shape: lanceolate, apex shape: apiculada, petiole color: green, fruit shape: oblong, seed color: yellow and seed shape: obovate) and in the remaining four differences were observed (shape of plant, color of mature leaf, color of buds and color of fruit). Also, the caturra variety was shown to be the most susceptible to rust, while the Colombia, Catimor and Limani varieties were resistant to rust.