ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF COFFEE CULTIVATION UNDER DIFFERENT SHADING CONDITIONS

Background: Shade crops emerge as an alternative to reduce the effects of global climate change in conventional agriculture. Objective: To analyze the ecophysiological responses of coffee cultivation (Coffea arabica L.) under different shading conditions. Methodology: Four treatments were established: coffee in full sun, coffee with shade of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.), coffee with shade of banana (Musa sp. var Nanicon) and coffee with shade of palm (Euterpe edulis), in a completely randomized design with six replicates. In each treatment, the crops of cassava, banana and palm were planted in a center line between the lines of the coffee crop. The evaluation was carried out at 1:00 pm, and the variables studied were net assimilation rate of carbon (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), subestomatic concentration of CO2 (Ci), vapor pressure deficit (DPV), instantaneous efficiency of water use (A/E), intrinsic efficiency of water use (A/gs) and instantaneous efficiency of carboxylation (A/ Ci). Results: under shaded conditions, Coffee, showed the highest values for the net assimilation rate of carbon, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, instantaneous efficiency carboxylation, instantaneous efficiency of water use, intrinsic efficiency in water use, and reduced vapor pressure deficit, compared to growing in full sun. Implications. Growing coffee under shaded conditions improves its photosynthetic activity and makes more efficient use of water, this type of conduction being an interesting option for places with high insolation and with problems of water availability. Conclusion: The ecophysiological variables are influenced by the shading conditions, being that the shade provided by the banana favored the obtaining of higher values for the variables analyzed in the coffee crop.