DOI: https://doi.org/10.21276/AATCCReview.2025.13.02.119

Abstract

A study has been done using eight elite arabica hybrids of coffee for assessing genotypic
differences in physiological and biochemical traits. Arabica genotypes exhibit variability in their
sensitivity to moisture stress. Under the crop's adaptive mechanism, abiotic challenges may
modify not only the overall expression of genetic traits but also the physiological processes of
plants. Identification and categorization of drought-resistant plant species would then be made
easier by an understanding and critical assessment of physiological changes, including
photosynthetic characteristics brought on by soil moisture stress. Therefore, new elite arabica
hybrids were studied for their differences in growth and development, biochemical traits and
carbon exchange rate (CER) in different soil moisture regimes at Central Coffee Research
Institute. During the study S.4813, S.4820 and S.4814 were found to be physiologically efficient
genotypes with high Carbon exchange rates types. These genotypes also showed better
development and growth in comparison to other genotypes with high leaf areas, leaf dry weight,
specific leaf weight (SLW) as well as specific leaf area (SLA), which play a direct role in higher
photosynthesis production of a plant. Further, these genotypes were also found to have high
antioxidant enzyme activity and other biochemical parameters like high carbohydrate content,
higher chlorophyll fractions and epicuticular wax content. The study revealed that S.4814,
followed by S.4813 and S.4820, are found to be superior genotypes with higher stress
adaptability and with potential to yield more under abiotic stress conditions. Hence, these elite
hybrids could be used in further breeding programs to develop drought tolerance genotypes.

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