CONSTRUÇÃO DE DROUGHTBOX PARA ANÁLISE DA SEGURANÇA TÉRMICA E POTENCIAL PRODUTIVO DENTRO DO GÊNERO Coffea spp.

Abstract

With global warming and the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns, extreme events have become an undeniable reality, directly impacting agricultural sustainability. This study aimed to investigate the physiological strategies of different Coffea species under water and thermal stress conditions, developing and testing a new tool, the Droughtbox. This innovative system allowed phenotyping of minimum residual conductance (gmin) and phase transition temperature (Tp) in Coffea species, with precise control over temperature and relative humidity. Additional assessments of gas exchanges, fluorescence, and anatomical characteristics provided insights into morphological and physiological adaptations. The results highlighted significant variations in thermal tolerance and water use efficiency among the studied genotypes, with Coffea liberica standing out due to its potential to conserve water, even at constant temperatures, maintain leaf temperature and present a high photosynthetic rate, with high production potential. The research emphasizes the critical role of tools like the Droughtbox in predicting the impacts of climate change on coffee cultivation.