Agronomic performance of selections of Red Bourbon and Yellow Bourbon coffee from different origins

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate phenotypic adaptability and stability, and other traits of agronomic interest of genotypes of Red Bourbon and Yellow Bourbon coffee in order to select the ones with better performance in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We evaluated 17 genotypes of the Bourbon cultivar group, with good performance in cup‑quality tests, as well as three cultivars widely grown in the state, used as a control. The experiments were established in December 2005, in the municipalities of Lavras, Santo Antônio do Amparo, Três Pontas, Campos Altos, and Patrocínio. The evaluations were done during the first four harvests in the growing seasons of 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010, and 2010/2011, including the following traits: grain yield, phenotypic adaptability and stability, percentage of floating grains, vegetative vigor, and bean size. There is genetic variability within the Bourbon group studied. Bourbon genotypes show satisfactory yields in all evaluated sites. The genotype Red Bourbon 2 has greater adaptability, and stood out as to all studied variables.