Field performance of young coffee seedlings and cuttings intercropped with rubber

Abstract

Coffee may be planted either using seedlings or cuttings. Anyhow, a comparative study of their field establishment and performance has not been made. Iin this study seedlings and cuttings of Coffea canephora intercropped with rubber were compared for their field stablishment and growth. It is evident that there is no difference in the success of their field establishment. The dry matter yield determinants of plants, i. e. light intercept ion, conversion efficiency and rate of loss of dry matter, estimated by total leaf area, CO2 assimilation rate and dark respiratory rate respectively, are also similar in both seedlings and cuttings. This is confirmed by the similar mean total dry weight of a seedlings and a cuttings. The partitioning of assimilates is more towards root development in the cuttings and is evident by the significantly high root dry weight and the root/shoot ratio. The percentage of assimilates partitioning towards the growth of aerial parts is less in the cuttings, i. e. 52 and 67perc. for cuttings and seedlings respectively. Despite of similar light levels, the CO2 assimilation rates are lower in the afternoon in both seedlings and cuttings. The perc. deeline is 23.5 and 18.6perc. for seedlings and cuttings respectively.