Genetic divergence based on leaf vegetative and anatomical traits of Coffea canephora clones

Knowledge of the expression of traits associated with drought tolerance is important to mitigate impacts on coffee production in a climate change scenario. This study aimed to understand the genetic divergence between Coffea canephora genotypes grown in the Western Amazon based on leaf vegetative and anatomical traits. For this, fifteen high-performance genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design with five replications of one plant per plot to analyze three leaf vegetative traits (leaf area index, root volume, and total dry mass) and five leaf anatomical traits (polar and equatorial diameter, density and number of stomata, and stomatal area). The data were interpreted using analysis of variance and the Scott-Knott mean cluster test (p ≤ 0.05). The Tocher optimization method and principal component analysis with reference points were used to quantify the genetic divergence. Tocher clustering separated the fifteen clones into five groups, and the scatter in the plane into three groups. Stomatal density was the trait that most contributed to the dissimilarity between genotypes with the potential to be used in future studies for the selection of water deficit-tolerant genotypes. The BRS 3213 genotype showed the greatest genetic dissimilarity and composed a group isolated from the other genotypes in terms of anatomical characteristics. Hybrids 12 and 15 have leaf anatomical traits with higher drought tolerance potential.