The influence of leaf anatomical traits on photosynthesis in Catimor type Arabica coffee

Abstract

Leaf photosynthesis is largely determined by anatomical features. This study aimed to reveal the quantitative effects of the anatomical structure of Coffea arabica leaves on photosynthesis. Pearson’s correlation and path analysis were used to explore the correlation between leaf structure and photosynthesis. To calculate the comprehensive evaluation value of the correlation between leaf anatomical traits and photosynthetic parameters, the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method was used to obtain the objective weight of each photosynthetic parameter. The study revealed that leaf anatomical traits were highly significant (p <0.01) and correlated with photosynthetic parameters, suggesting that anatomical traits greatly influenced photosynthesis in C. arabica leaf. Similarly, path coefficient analysis strongly showed direct and indirect correlation of photosynthetic capacity of stomatal conductance of the leaves of C. arabica. The results of the comprehensive evaluation also indicated that leaf thickness (LT) and stomatal density (d) were the anatomical characteristics most closely related to photosynthesis. In these results, understanding the effects of the anatomical structure of coffee leaves on photosynthesis, may provide useful information for coffee breeding programs and the management of coffee plantations to optimize photosynthetic capacity.