The growing demand for better quality coffees has driven changes in the coffee production chain, mainly through the adoption of new technologies and management. Thus, this work was carried out aiming to evaluate the physical and sensorial quality of Arabica coffee cultivars, submitted to natural and pulped post-harvesting processing. The experiment was carried out following a randomized block design with three replications, in a split-plot scheme, with the plots consisting of five cultivars (Catucaí 2 SL, Catucaí 24/137, Catuaí IAC 44, Arara and Acauã); and the subplots by two processes, pulped and natural cherry. The harvest was carried out manually, harvesting the cherry fruits (ripe) in a sieve. The coffees were processed by the natural and pulped cherry methods. Drying was carried out on a covered suspended terrace, until the grains reached 11% ± 1 moisture (wet basis, bu). The following evaluations were carried out: sensorial analysis of the beverage according to the SCAA methodology, analysis of grain sieves according to the Official Brazilian Coffee Classification Protocol. The results show that all evaluated cultivars have a great potential for the production of specialty coffees in that studied environment. Differences were observed between cultivars both in the sensory quality of the beverage and in the grain size. Cultivar Arara presents a general average of final beverage grade higher than the other cultivars.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of pyraclostrobin on the photosynthetic performance of rabica coffee plants subjected or not to a water deficit, using the parameter of gas exchange (net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and internal CO2 concentration and nocturnal respiration), chlorophyll fluorescence a parameters (minimum fluorescence, maximum fluorescence, maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, effective quantum yield of PSII, quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation and quantum yield dissipation non-regulated) as well as the concentrations of chloroplast pigments. In the plants maintained without water deficit, pyraclostrobin did not cause any alteration on the parameters of chlorophyll a fluorescence; however, it contributed to an increase in the level of chlorophyll a + b, CO2 assimilation and CO2 influx for the carboxylation sites of the stroma. Decreases in nocturnal respiration in plants treated with pyraclostrobin, submitted or not to water deficit seems to be a common strategy in reducing energy waste in the maintenance metabolism. Under water deficit, pyraclostrobin contributed to increase the photochemical yield, enabling plants to effectively prevent the capture, use and dissipation of light energy.

Coffee is one of the main agricultural commodities in the world. Thus, research aimed at reducing the productive risks of the crop has been increasingly encouraged, among which the use of plant hormones stands out. In addition, the objective of this work was to analyze the effect of the application of indole-3-acetic acid on the growth, nutrition and gas exchange of young Coffea arabica L plants. The experiment was carried out in the field in the city of Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, testing the effect of the application of five doses of indole-3-acetic acid in young Arabica coffee plants, in four replications. The application of indole-3-acetic acid stimulates the growth rate of the stem diameter at a concentration of 60 mg L -1 , as well as gas exchange in coffee plants, however it did not favor the increase in the substomatic concentration of CO2 instantaneous and intrinsic efficiency in water use and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency. Although the application of EIA was not able to provide direct gains in coffee growth during the experimental period, a longer evaluation of the treatments would possibly provide promising results for the coffee crop. The multivariate analysis showed that higher doses of auxin have a high relationship with the macronutrients studied.

Crop management is necessary in sprouting, cycle and productivity of most plants of commercial interest. However, recommendations and information are scarce for yacon cultivation, mainly regarding the possible interferences of planting method and depth in the crop development and production. Therefore, the objective was to study the influence of the planting methods and depths on yacon tuberous roots development and production in high altitude conditions. The experiment was a randomized complete block design, with four replications, in a subdivided plots scheme. The plots consisted of three planting methods (groove, pit and ridge) and subplots characterized by four planting depths (5, 10, 15, and 20 cm). Evaluations were carried out from the sprouting process of the rhizophores to the yield of tuberous roots. The planting methods in a pit and ridge had lower seedling mortality rates (27.5 and 20.2% lowers than grooves) and higher yields of tuberous roots (31.2 and 21.4% higher than grooves). The planting depths of 5 and 10 cm of the rhizophores were shown to be the most suitable for yacon cultivation for the three planting methods.

Conducting studies that assist in the evaluation of agroecosystems is essential for advancing biodiverse and sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to assess the impact of intercropping on the photosynthetic activity of Arabica coffee plants. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Alegre, Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Three coffee cropping systems were studied: Arabica coffee monoculture; Arabica coffee intercropped with Nanicon variety banana; and Arabica coffee intercropped with Nanicon variety banana and Juçara palm. The Arabica coffee variety used was Catuaí Vermelho IAC 44, planted in 1991, with a spacing of 3.0 m between rows and 2.0 m between holes, accommodating two plants per hole. In 2010, coffee trees underwent mid-height pruning (low-cutting pruning), and the Nanicon bananas were planted between rows with a spacing of 5.0 x 3.0 m. Three years later, palm seedlings were planted in the same rows as the banana plants, with a spacing of 5 x 3 m. Five experimental units were randomly selected for each cropping system. The evaluated variables included chlorophyll indexes (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and chlorophyll a/b ratio) and gas exchange parameters (net CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration, intrinsic water use efficiency, instantaneous water use efficiency, and carboxylation efficiency). Regarding chlorophyll indexes, differences were observed only in chlorophyll b, with monoculture coffee displaying the highest values. In terms of gas exchange, intercropped coffee exhibited lower values of intrinsic and instantaneous water use efficiency, and higher values of stomatal conductance and transpiration. The highest net assimilation rate values were observed in coffee with banana intercropping, while the highest water use efficiency was found in coffee in monoculture. In summary, monoculture coffee showed the highest values for most of the variables related to photosynthetic activity, followed by Arabica coffee intercropped with banana, which stood out for achieving the highest net assimilation rate.