The production and tolerance level of 22 accessions of Sukabumi robusta coffee to water stress

Abstract

Extensification of the Robusta coffee to enhance national productivity can be expanded to marginal areas with limited soil water. Robusta coffee clones that have a good tolerance for these conditions are needed. This study aimed to evaluate production and tolerance level of 22 Sukabumi Robusta coffee accessions to water stress. The study was conducted in a greenhouse at Pakuwon Experimental Station, altitude of 450 m asl with Latosol type of soil and B type of climate according to Schmidt and Fergusson classification, start from January 2015 until July 2016. Randomized complete block design with 22 treatments of Robusta coffee accessions and two replications was performed. Variables observed were the height of seedlings, number of leaves, and diameter of stems at 15 and 45 days after water stress treatment (DAS), as well as the percentage of viable seedlings at 60 and 75 DAS. The results showed that seven Robusta coffee accessions were classified as high production accessions (ROS 212, 335, 337, 508, 514, 519, and ROS 520), while two accessions were classified as tolerant to water stress (ROS 010 and ROS 507). However, there is no accession that classified as high production and tolerant to water stress.