Canephora coffee cultivation without irrigation advances in Acre

Research carried out in the state of Acre demonstrates the viability of producing coffees of this species Coffea canephora (clonal) in the soil and climate conditions of the Juruá Valley, without the use of irrigation. The study was conducted by Embrapa Café in partnership with Embrapa Acre; the Federal University of Acre (UFAC); the Federal Institute of Acre; the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture of the University of São Paulo; and the Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Defense of Acre. The results of the research are in the publication “Cultivation of clonal coffee trees in dryland conditions in the Juruá Valley, Acre”, which has just been released by Embrapa Café. 

For the general manager of Embrapa Café, Antonio Fernando Guerra, the use of clonal varieties can be considered the main factor in the revolution that has been occurring in coffee farming in the Amazon over the last 15 years. “Currently, the North of the country has stood out in the production of canephora coffee and this expansion is based on the use of modern production technologies, especially the use of superior clonal cultivars, selected or developed for the soil and climate conditions of the region, mainly in the state of Rondônia. Coffee farming in the Amazon has guaranteed economic returns and social well-being for families, in a sustainable manner.”

Embrapa Café researcher Marcelo Curitiba Espindula explains that the success of coffee farming in Rondônia was a determining factor in the researchers’ interest in testing the clones in the climate and soil conditions of the Juruá Valley, in the state of Acre. “We implemented the crop at the UFAC Experimental Farm – Floresta Campus, in 2017, where ten hybrid coffee clones developed by Embrapa for Amazon conditions were tested, with very promising results,” says Espindula.

The results presented in the publication refer to four harvests, carried out between 2019 and 2022. “We obtained an overall average of 77 bags per hectare, but some clones obtained average productivity above 100 bags per ha, in the four harvests. However, it is important to remember that there is expected to be a reduction in productivity at the end of the ten-harvest cycle”, pondered the researcher. The ten clones tested presented different productive performances, as well as different intensities in the biennial production, a characteristic of the coffee tree. Five clones stood out in the region: BRS 2336, BRS 3210, BRS 1216, BRS 3137 and BRS 3213. “It is important to emphasize that productivity should not be the only characteristic when choosing cultivars. The size of the plant, if harvesting is mechanical, in addition to characteristics such as resistance to pests and diseases and the ripening cycle of the fruits must also be considered,” emphasizes Espindula.

“The results of over 40 years of studies on clonal coffee in Brazil indicate that planting should not be restricted to a few clones in commercial plantations. This recommendation is based on the genetic incompatibility of clones, as well as on issues of phytosanitary and phytosanitary safety. This is because, in addition to the mandatory need for cross-pollination, there are also aspects related to flowering synchrony and production stability, due to the biennial nature of production and the risk of pests and diseases, which, in plantations with less genetic diversity, can cause significant damage,” he recalls.

The study evaluated the performance of clones in rainfed conditions, which may be an alternative for coffee growers in locations that are far from urban centers, difficult to access, and have limited availability of electricity to power irrigation systems. This is because, in addition to the low availability of energy or inconsistency in its supply, irrigation equipment can be expensive to reach these locations, due to the distance between the municipalities of the Juruá Valley and the industrial centers that produce this equipment, generally located in the Center-South of Brazil.

However, researchers warn that, despite being an option for more remote locations, the use of irrigation should not be ruled out in more easily accessible locations. This is because, in addition to minimizing risks inherent to adverse climate effects, this technology can result in reduced costs with the application of inputs, greater efficiency in the use of fertilizers and, consequently, increased crop productivity.

The article can be accessed on the Embrapa website (https://www.embrapa.br/busca-de-publicacoes/-/publicacao/1176385/cultivo-de-cafeeiros-clonais-em-condicoes-de-sequeiro-no-vale-do-jurua-acre).