Cultivars of Arabica coffee: Characterization and interception of solar radiation

Abstract

Abstract The importance of coffee crops in the global agricultural scenario goes beyond economic aspects, also encompassing political and sociocultural factors. Brazil stands out in this scenario as the largest producer and exporter of coffee in the world, with a particular emphasis on the state of Minas Gerais. Coffee production is mainly focused on the Coffea arabica L. species. However, several factors directly impact coffee crop productivity, resulting in significant losses. Among the most relevant factors are adverse climatic conditions, nutritional deficiencies, and the presence of pests and diseases. Therefore, it is essential to seek an efficient metabolic response from coffee crops in the face of biotic and abiotic stresses, developing plants that are more resistant to climate variations. Based on the literature, this review is structured as follows: first, the characteristics and growth habits of coffee crops are presented; second, 18 cultivars of Arabica coffee analyzed in the study are discussed, providing specific agronomic information for each of them; subsequently, the coffee’s phenological cycle and productivity are addressed; finally, radiometric variables such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (f APAR ), transmittance, reflectance, and leaf area index (LAI) are treated. The evidence gathered in this review unanimously points to the need for intensified studies on solar radiation interception and LAI in different cultivars of Arabica coffee. The literature highlights the importance of using field-obtained datasets to complement information on the characteristics and growth patterns of varieties, as well as their phenological cycle, in order to understand the plant’s behavior before and after harvesting and its relation to productivity.