Root system dynamics of Coffea arabica grafted on C. canephora Apoatã IAC 2258 under field conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51008Keywords:
Arabica coffee, Root-knot nematodes, Cultivars, Rootstock.Abstract
The root system of coffee plants plays a fundamental role in water and nutrient uptake and is influenced by genetic and management factors, such as grafting. The present study aimed to characterize the root system of three Coffea arabica cultivars (Obatã IAC 1669-20, IAC 125 RN and IPR 100), grafted or non-grafted onto C. canephora Apoatã IAC 2258, over two production cycles. The experiment was conducted in Vera Cruz, São Paulo State, Brazil, in a typical eutrophic latosol, under drip irrigation, in an area naturally infested with Meloidogyne incognita, using a randomized block design. Root system evaluation was carried out using a non-destructive method with a root scanner (CI-600), at four soil depths (0–80 cm) and four sampling times. Total root length, area, surface contact, and root volume were analyzed. In general, grafted plants showed higher values for all evaluated parameters, especially in the 0–40 cm soil layer. A higher concentration of roots was observed in the 20–40 cm depth range, particularly for the cultivars Obatã IAC 1669-20 and IAC 125 RN. The cultivar IPR 100 showed a more homogeneous root distribution along the soil profile. The results indicate that grafting onto C. canephora promotes significant changes in the root architecture of C. arabica, potentially contributing to greater soil exploration efficiency, in addition to nematode management.
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