Evaluación de la adaptación de café Coffea arabica var. Caturra y Típica mejorada en su primer año en la Estación Agropecuaria UTPL

Abstract

Abstract: The present research aimed to evaluate the adaptation of the coffee varieties Coffea arabica: Típica Mejorada and Caturra during their first year at the UTPL Agricultural Station, located in Loja, at over 2,000 meters above sea level. The variables measured were fruit set or survival, and phenological development (height, stem diameter, branch length, and number of leaves) over a 6-month period. The results showed that the Típica Mejorada variety had a survival rate of 96.55%, while the Caturra had a 27.59% survival rate. Regarding phenological development, the Típica variety was significantly taller than the Caturra, as well as the variables of stem diameter, branch length, and number of leaves, parameters that demonstrate its greater capacity to adapt to agroecological conditions. These findings indicate that the Improved Typical variety in this case responded more favorably to factors such as altitude, temperate climate, and local agronomic management at the Agricultural Station (2,300 meters above sea level), while the Caturra did not show adequate adaptability during this initial development period.