Performance Evaluation of Improved Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Varieties in the Mid Altitude Areas of Kafa Zone, South Ethiopia

Abstract

With an assumption of identifying adaptable coffee varieties that could exhibit higher yield to maximize coffee productivity and production across the different environments of Keffa zone, an adaptation study was initiated at Bonga using thirteen coffee varieties which were released by Jimma Agricultural research center for south - western Ethiopia with local Check. The experiment was conducted based on the management practices required for coffee varieties. Plant height, Number of primary branch per plant, stem diameter, leaf diameter, clean coffee yield and incidence of coffee berry disease and leaf rust was taken as parameters of the evaluation. These varieties were released on basis of their high performance for yield, quality and resistance to major diseases and insect pests during their evaluation at variety and verification trials.  The varieties which were used for the current study were transplanted in 2008 at Bonga research center in randomized block design to select and recommend better types which could exhibit relatively better performance at the area. The varieties were planted at a spacing of 2 m by 2 m between plants and rows, respectively and were evaluated for yield and yield component for three years. They were grown in existing shade with (Susbaniasusben). From the evaluation it was noted that the highest Clean Coffee Yield (1249.5, 1071.6, 1018.4 Kg ha^-1) was scored by the 74148, 74140 and 74158 varieties respectively. On the contrary Local check, Dessu, 75227, 74165 and 741 exhibited least mean grain yields ranges from 571-770 Kg of clean coffee per hectare (Table 1). With the current results selections 74148, 74140 and 74158 showed high results of clean coffee, only three years data recorded is less and it is required further evaluation years in order to know the yield consistency of each selections in the area.