The Minas Gerais Agricultural Research Company (EPAMIG) took another step towards consolidating new coffee cultivars in the Zona da Mata Mineira. On May 17th, the company carried out a technical visit to São Miguel do Anta to present the first results of planting the MGS Paraíso 2 cultivar in the municipality. The work was developed together with extensionists from Emater-MG.
The planting of MGS Paraíso 2 seedlings was carried out in a 1,2 hectare space on the Ventania site, at the beginning of 2020. Less than three years after planting, the crop had already shown excellent signs of the cultivar's adaptability and it was possible to harvest the first coffee fruits. The success story of the Ventania site was presented to researchers, extensionists, nurserymen and municipal secretaries present at the technical visit.
According to the owner of the site, Leonardo Brumano, cultivation was carried out in an irrigated system. For him, the development of the plants exceeded expectations in terms of vigor and productivity, especially because the soil in the region was considered weak for planting coffee. In order to solve the soil problem, the producer made corrections with limestone, fertilizer and chicken manure.
“I have always known about the quality of the MGS Paraíso 2 cultivar. As a legitimate Minas Gerais native, I did not want to give up planting a cultivar developed by researchers from our state, mainly because I already knew the productivity and drinking quality data of Paraíso 2. The soil on my property is very acidic, but with some basic and specific corrections it was possible to harvest vigorous fruits in a time considered record”, says Leonardo.
According to EPAMIG researcher, Fábio Tancredi, the MGS Paraíso 2 cultivar is still little known in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais. The researcher, however, believes in the expansion of plantings, mainly due to the characteristics of the cultivar.
“The characteristics that attract the attention of producers are the high production, large fruits, resistance to rust and excellent drinking quality. Following the example of other regions of Minas, the MGS Paraíso 2 cultivar will soon also be a success in Zona da Mata”, ponders the researcher.
When asked about managing a property that could become a showcase for modern coffee growing in Zona da Mata Mineira, producer Leonardo Brumano does not hesitate to say that it is now necessary to publicize the work to his colleagues in the region.
“Next year, close to the next harvest, my desire is to call on as many producers in the region as possible to present the benefits of more modern coffee cultivars, such as MGS Paraíso 2. After all, I implemented my crop with the same technologies used in plantations. of older cultivars that are less resistant to pests and diseases. When I am asked if new coffee cultivars are more demanding, I say no, this is in line with my own experience in the field”, he concludes.
After the first harvest, Leonardo's objective is to expand the planting of MGS Paraíso 2 in spaces on his property currently occupied by pasture.
One of the most awarded varieties in specialty coffee competitions, the MGS Paraíso 2 cultivar is resistant to rust, has yellow fruits, intermediate maturity and high production capacity. It is also an excellent coffee variety for Cerrado conditions, both for irrigated and rainfed cultivation. Furthermore, it responds well to mechanized harvesting and pruning.
According to EPAMIG researcher, Diego Vilela, what is motivating producers to invest in the cultivation of new cultivars, such as MGS Paraíso 2, is their own performance in the field. “As agronomic characteristics favorable to the coffee grower, we can say that MGS Paraíso 2 highlights high productivity, high yield, excellent beverage quality with suitability for specialty coffees, resistance to rust and medium maturation”, points out the researcher.
EPAMIG, a company linked to Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Minas Gerais (Seapa), sells rust-tolerant coffee seeds. For more information, contact the Agricultural Business Advisory (Asagro) by phone (31) 3489-5060.
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