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Evaluation of
some robusta coffee (coffea canephora pierre ex a.
Froehner) clones for optimal density planting in Ghana
G.
J. Anim-Kwapong*, E. Anim-Kwapong and Oppong,
F. K.
Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. BOX 8, New Tafo-Akim,
Ghana.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
gjanimkwapong@yahoo.com .
Accepted 19 November, 2009 |
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Increasing productivity is a main objective in Robusta
coffee improvement in Ghana. A field trial was established
in 1998 to evaluate the potential of ten Robusta coffee
clones for optimal density planting, at the experimental
field of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana sub-station,
Afosu. The clones were evaluated at three planting densities
(1667, 2222 and 2667 trees ha-1) in a split plot
design with three replicates, for yield and five vegetative
traits namely: stem diameter, crown diameter, orthotropic
internodes length, plagiotropic internodes length and number
of bearing nodes per plagiotropic branch. Highly significant
(P < 0.00) interaction effects were observed for all
parameters measured. The highest yields (averaging 1289.5 kg
ha-1 year-1) were obtained from the
highest planting density with clones 197, A129, B191, 181,
and A115. These clones also had a relatively compact growth
habit (smaller stem diameter and shorter plagiotropic and
orthotropic internode lengths) compared to the other five
clones (E152, B96, E138, E139 and B36). The findings suggest
that productivity increases in Robusta coffee could be
achieved through the use of planting materials which combine
compact growth habit and high harvest potential in close
spacing planting scheme.
Keywords:
High density planting, robusta coffee clones, vegetative
vigour; yield potential. |
