Genetic characteristics and their interaction with environmental conditions, including nutritional management, determine coffee productivity and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate fruit traits and nutrient accumulation in the fruit, husk, and bean, as well as in the leaves of different Coffea arabica cultivars cropped in the Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. The experiment evaluated nine coffee cultivars in a randomized block design, with four replicates. Fruit and leaf samples were collected over two months (June and July 2021), in the fruit maturation phase, oven-dried and analyzed, namely, through a clustering unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The characterization of ripe and dried coffee bean indicated differences in the performance of the cultivars. The accumulation of the macronutrients N, K, and Ca and micronutrients Fe, Mn, and B was highest in the bean, husk, fruit, and leaves of the evaluated cultivars. Nutrient concentrations and accumulation in the different evaluated organs have a direct influence on the nutritional crop management. This is crucial for a nutritional diagnosis that ensures high yields, but such mineral levels are also a result of the existing genetic diversity among cultivars, which must be taken into account for management and breeding purposes.

Studies on the genetic diversity of coffee trees are important, considering their role in the maximization of productivity and quality. However, the success of a breeding program depends on the existence of genetic variability in the population under study. Our study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of the morpho-agronomic and anatomical leaf traits of different cultivars of Coffea arabica grown in the Gorongosa mountain region, in the area of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. The experiment assessed nine coffee cultivars based on their morpho-agronomic and anatomical traits. The plagiotropic branch diameter, leaf dry mass, leaf mass per area, number of epidermal cells + stomata, and stomatal form indicated differences among the studied cultivars. Among the nine C. arabica cultivars grown in the mountainous region of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, low genetic variability in morpho-agronomic traits was detected, while the genetic variability in leaf anatomical traits was higher. The nine cultivars were segregated into two groups, one consisting of Catucaí Amarelo 2SL and Catuaí Vermelho IAC 81, and the second consisting of Catuaí Amarelo IAC 39, Catucaí Vermelho 19/8, Acauã, Catucaí 785-15, Costa Rica, Catimor 128, and Catuaí Vermelho IAC 44. The cultivar segregation into the two groups indicated that the morpho-anatomical traits can be considered during the selection stages in breeding programs.

Coffea racemosa and C. zanguebariae show promising characteristics for cultivation under stress conditions. However, their potential for breeding programs requires further characterization, especially regarding fruit attributes. This study aimed to characterize the bean/husk ratio and the nutrient content in bean and husks from 22 accessions of Coffea racemosa and another 22 of C. zanguebariae cultivated in Mozambique. Ripe fruits were collected, dried, and manually peeled to evaluate the percentage of bean and husk. The nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and B) was quantified separately by standard methodology. The data were summarized in scatter plots, and differences among accessions were analyzed using Euclidean distance and grouped following the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean. On average, beans accounted for 54.4% (ranging from 34.5% to 66.5%) of the fruit mass in C. racemosa and 60.4% (38.8% to 81.4%) in C. zanguebariae. Macronutrient content in beans followed the order N > K > Mg > P > S > Ca (average N = 19.98 kg ton⁻¹ of beans) in C. racemosa and N > K > Ca > Mg > S > P (average N = 25.42 kg ton⁻¹ of beans) in C. zanguebariae. Micronutrient content in beans followed the order Fe > B > Mn > Cu > Zn in both species, with average Fe content of 325.8 and 473.72 g ton⁻¹ of beans for C. racemosa and C. zanguebariae, respectively. No correspondence occurred between the bean and husk nutrient content. Coffea racemosa and C. zanguebariae exhibit bean proportions and nutritional profiles comparable to those of commercial species, highlighting their high potential for coffee diversification and genetic breeding. These results provide new evidence supporting the inclusion of C. racemosa and C. zanguebariae in breeding programs aimed at climate-resilient and nutritionally distinct coffee varieties.

Estimated climate change scenarios demand robust coffee cultivars tolerant to supra-optimal temperatures, water deficit, diseases, and other stresses. Wild Coffea species represent important genetic resources for resilience. The study of variations in morphological structures associated with transpiration control, such as stomata, represents an important approach for identifying genotypes with greater stress tolerance. This study evaluated stomatal density and morphology in 48 wild accessions, 24 of Coffea racemosa and 24 of C. zanguebariae, from provinces of Mozambique. Leaf samples provided microscopic images to assess stomatal traits: density (SD), polar diameter (PD), equatorial diameter (ED), stomatal functionality (SF), and leaf dry mass. Principal components were analyzed for all 48 accessions and separately by species. Mean distribution independence was tested with the Mann–Whitney test (p < 0.05). Results revealed inter- and intraspecific variation. The ability to distinguish accessions varies with the set of traits and species. A significant negative correlation between ED and SF was shared by both species, suggesting a conserved functional pattern. This study discusses the differences in stomatal traits between wild and commercial coffee species and aspects related to possible alterations of stomatal structures during their adaptation to climate change. Additionally, it points to accessions with potential use in genetic breeding programs to increase stomatal function and the possible adaptation of new cultivars.

O milho é um dos cereais mais produzidos no mundo, sua produtividade é resultante de alto vigor da semente e de atributos do solo e clima, sendo a salinidade um fator limitante da produtividade. A pesquisa foi conduzida com objetivo de avaliar o efeito de concentrações salinas sobre a germinação de sementes e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de milho. Foram utilizadas sementes de genótipos de milho, provenientes da coleção de genótipos do Laboratório de Análises Vegetais do Departamento de Agronomia da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizados (DIC), no esquema fatorial 6x5 com oito (8) repetições de 50 sementes, constituído por seis (6) genótipos e cinco (5) concentrações de Cloreto de sódio (Água destilada, 50, 100, 150 e 200 mmol L^-1, correspondendo a 0; 1,5; 3,9; 4,5; e 6 g/L^-1 de NaCl-Pa). Nos intervalos de 4 a 7 dias foram analisados, a germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, diâmetro da plântula, comprimento da parte aérea, comprimento radicular, massa fresca e seca da plântula, e índice de tolerância ao estresse salino. Análise de variância verificou efeito significativo entre os genótipos e concentrações de NaCl-Pa, a 1% de probabilidade (p < 0,01). A concentração salina (NaCl) de 100, 150 e 200 mmol afetou a germinação e índice de velocidade do genótipo Palha roxa. Análise multivariada verificou que os genótipos Branco, AG1051 apresentaram maiores escores na com 2.595 e 0.979, sendo moderadamente tolerantes ao estresse salino. Os genótipos Roxo, Vermelho e Glyfos RR são moderadamente susceptíveis. O genótipo Palha roxa mostrou-se susceptível a salinidade.

This study evaluated the morphological development of 23 Coffea canephora clones in Espírito Santo to identify materials with superior vigor and quality for commercial and breeding purposes. Seedlings from cuttings were arranged in a completely randomized design with ten replicates and assessed at the commercial dispatch stage. Shoot and root growth, biomass, leaf area (LA), Dickson Quality Index (DQI), structural ratios (shoot/root ratio, SRR; height/diameter ratio, HDR), and anatomical traits were measured. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with Scott–Knott clustering, Pearson correlation, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Significant variability was observed among clones. Clones 88, VR3, 8, and LB33 showed the highest stem diameter (SD), total dry mass (TDM), LA, and DQI, with balanced shoot and root development. Leaf area correlated strongly with SD, number of leaves (NL), biomass, and DQI, confirming its role as a seedling quality indicator. PCA identified two groups: a high-performance group with greater vigor and biomass, and a lower-performance group including clones 7, MR04, and VR4. The convergence of methods confirms the robustness of the results. Overall, clones 88, VR3, 8, and LB33 demonstrate superior agronomic potential at the seedling stage, offering promising options for nurseries, growers, and clonal selection programs.