Profiling and analysis of reproductive phenology of four coffee (Coffea spp.) species in the Philippines using the BBCH Scale

Issue Date

12-2019

Abstract

In the Philippines, highly asynchronous initiation of coffee inflorescence translates to expensive, laborious, and protracted harvest period which can last up to 6 months. Sound and sustainable management intervention to address this concern, however, is currently not available as basic information on coffee reproductive physiology is still wanting. Thus, this research aimed to elucidate the physio-morphological complexity of reproductive phenology of four commercial coffee species (Robusta, Arabica, Excelsa, and Liberica) in the Philippines using the Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt, and CHemische Industrie (BBCH) scale. The experiment was conducted in Los Baños, Laguna from November 2015 to April 2017, wherein plagiotropic branches with emerging inflorescences (BBCH 51) were tagged and periodically monitored until the ripe berry stage (BBCH 88) to quantify morpho-developmental changes independent of variation in timing. Our results showed that while the over-all developmental pattern was comparable across species, there were distinct species-specific variations in terms of bud/flower/berry morphologies, and in terms of timing, pacing, and duration of each phenophase. Two sigmoidal growth curves were noted: first, from inflorescence emergence until anthesis (BBCH 69), and second, from pericarp development (BBCH 71-77) to seed development (BBCH 77-88). A spike in rainfall (2 320 mm) initiated bud break (BBCH 53), beyond which species variation became more significant especially during berry development and ripening. Large-fruited species (i.e. Excelsa and Liberica) had higher heat unit requirements (GDD) compared to small-fruited species (i.e. Robusta and Arabica). From inflorescence emergence to berry ripening, Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica coffees required 6706 GDD, 7181 GDD, 7715 GDD, and 7519 GDD, respectively.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463x

Volume

44

Issue

3

Page

10-19

Document Type

Article

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Physical Description

illustrations, graphs

Language

English

Subject

coffee, species, reproductive phenology, BBCH, growing-degree days

Identifier

https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20203113779

Digital Copy

Yes

En – AGROVOC descriptors

COFFEA; SPECIES; REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE; REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY; PHENOLOGY; PHILIPPINES

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