Morphological plasticity of three coffee cultivars under light gradient

The aim of this study was to fill in gaps in knowledge regarding the interaction among shading systems, stages of development and cultivars on the initial growth of coffee plantlets, with due attention to adequate mathematical models, and to allow interpretations in light of currently emerging knowledge on this theme. The cultivars Catuai (IAC 144), Catucai 2SL, and Acaua were subjected to levels of light restriction of 30%, 50%, and 70%, and to full sunlight. The experiment was conducted from January to June 2007 in the experimental field at the Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia – UESB, Vitoria da Conquista, the state of Bahia, Brazil. In each trial defined by level of light restriction, a randomized block experimental design was used with five replicates, and the treatments were arranged in a split-plot design in which the main plot consisted of cultivars and the assessment times constituted the split-plots. Each experimental unit consisted of 12 plants. Vegetative development assessments began 30 days after emergence and were conducted at 15-day intervals until 90 days. The light restriction levels and assessment periods, as well as the interaction between those factors, affected all the growth characteristics evaluated. With the exception of stem diameter, all other growth parameters had similar behavior in relation to the number of days after emergence and levels of light restriction. In general, the morphological changes in the initial growth of the coffee plantlet were more intense under light restriction values from 30% to 50%, and Catucai 2SL presented greater development in comparison to Catuai (IAC 144) and Acaua.