Producers from the Minas Gerais cerrado invest in planting new coffee cultivars

The demand for genetically improved coffee cultivars has increased among coffee growers in Cerrado Mineiro. According to nurseries in the region, between 70% and 80% of the seedlings acquired in the last three years were new materials such as MGS Paraíso 2, Arara, Catucaí Amarelo 2SL, among others.

In the Experimental Field, of the Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), in Patrocínio, where seeds are sold, the search for cultivars developed by the Company's Coffee Genetic Improvement Program, in partnership with Embrapa Café and universities federal districts of Lavras and Viçosa, corresponds to around 70% of the total. “Among the most sought after, three are from the EPAMIG Improvement Program, MGS Paraíso 2, Topázio MG 1190, and MGS Aranãs, and one is from the group considered traditional, Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144, a cultivar from the Campinas Agronomic Institute”, says the researcher, Diego Júnior Martins Vilela.

Diego, who is technically responsible for EPAMIG's Coffee Germplasm Bank, assesses that the performance of these new cultivars in the field has motivated producers to invest in cultivation. “Another factor that justifies the current demand by coffee growers is the wide dissemination of the results that are being obtained in experiments conducted in more than 35 Demonstration Units maintained by EPAMIG, both in the South of Minas region (project in partnership with Cooxupé), and in the Cerrado Mineiro (project in partnership with the Federation of Coffee Growers of the Cerrado). These Demonstration Units cover the most varied climates, soil types, altitude, management, among other characteristics inherent to production”.

Among the cultivars evaluated, MGS Paraíso 2 has stood out in terms of quality and productivity in different growing conditions. “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 Diego Vilela.

Coffee grower and seedling producer Enivaldo Pereira, known as Pioi, also attributes this new demand to what has already been demonstrated in the field. “Producers intend to increase productivity and quality and look for varieties that are already producing results.” Recently awarded in quality competitions in the Natural Coffee category, with the cultivar MGS Paraíso 2, Enivaldo says that the seedlings of this cultivar have become the most sought after in 2021. “Last year the greatest demand was for Arara, a cultivar developed by Procafé Foundation. This year has been Paradise. In order of search we have Paraíso 2, Arara, Guará and Catucaí Amarelo (both from Fundação Procafé)”, he informs.

Also a nurseryman, Paulo Almeida, lists the factors that motivate coffee growers to invest in crop renewal. “They look for resistance to pests and diseases, drought tolerance and high productivity.” Regarding the search for seedlings, Paulo informs that this year the most sought after are MGS Paraíso 2, Arara and IPR100, developed by the Institute of Rural Development of Paraná.

Working with seedling production for ten years, agronomist Elisa Müller Veronezi also cites this search for newer cultivars with greater added benefits. “Three years ago Arara was the most sought after, this year it is MGS Paraiso 2, which was already second in demand in 2020. The most sought after are MGS Paraíso 2, Arara, Catucaí 2SL, Topázio (EPAMIG)” . 

Qualified seeds

EPAMIG began selling qualified coffee seeds for the year 2021, in the experimental fields of Patrocínio, in Alto Paranaíba, and Machado, São Sebastião do Paraíso and Três Pontas, in the South of Minas. The seeds offered are of high physiological quality and meet the requirements of current legislation. The characteristics of these materials contribute to obtaining healthier and more productive seedlings and plants.

The materials offered are from cultivars from the EPAMIG Genetic Improvement Program and also from other research bodies, such as the cultivars Acaiá IAC 474/19, Mundo Novo IAC 379/19, Mundo Novo IAC 376/4, Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144, Catuaí red IAC 99, Catuaí Yellow IAC 62 and Catuaí yellow IAC 2SL. The quantities and cultivars available may vary according to the Unit.

EPAMIG researcher Vanessa Figueiredo highlights that investment in the formation of coffee crops is one of the determining points for defining productive potential. “Special attention must be paid to planting vigorous seedlings, formed from seeds of high physical, physiological, genetic and health quality. Another fundamental point is the choice of cultivar, with high genetic potential and adapted to the growing conditions”, she points out.

In Brazil, the seed production and commercialization process follows specific legislation, which aims to guarantee the identity and quality of the multiplication material. The cultivars that can be commercialized are registered in the National Cultivar Registry (RNC) and any agent involved in this process (individual or legal entity) must be registered in the National Seed and Seedling Registry (Renasem).

The seeds offered by EPAMIG meet the parameters required by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) and current legislation. These attributes, which are a minimum germination of 70%, absence of live insects and 98% purity, contribute to obtaining healthier and more productive seedlings and plants.

Orders can be made at the Units themselves. Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, contact should preferably be made by email or telephone. Seed delivery can be done in person, as long as it is previously scheduled, or by post.