Phenotypic Performance Evaluation of the Coffee Variety Marsellesa® over 1400 meters a.s.l. as an Alternative for Coffee Growing

Abstract

Most studies on coffee varieties have focused on resistance to several conditions, evaluating a maximum of two varieties at altitudes below 1,000 m a.s.l. To fill this gap, the present study aims to find phenotyping differences across Marsellesa, Red Caturra, and Catimor coffee crops evaluated over 1,400 m a.s.l. Experimentally, this work was divided into three plots (1,477., 1,548, and 1,797 m a.s.l.) with three treatments and three repetitions, totaling 27 experimental plots. We tested the resistance to rust and Cercospora, and the organoleptic quality was assessed by an expert coffee taster with a SCA Q-Grader Coffee Certificate. We found similar results in the three cultivars, with high production (around 1 t/ha of dry parchment coffee) in their first year. The Caturra variety showed a higher plant height. Marsellesa showed the best resistance to rust with a 0 % incidence; however, the three crops were susceptible to Cercospora. We concluded that Marsellesa coffee adapts to the humid montane forest zone over 1,400 m a.s.l. with good organoleptic properties and better rust resistance. Marsellesa has been used in the area for the last two years; therefore, this specialty coffee shows rust resistance and helps the small farmer meet the international market’s expectations.