Shade influence of the temporary canopy of an agroforestrsystem on coffee fruit ripening

Abstract

In Brazil, coffee trees have been included in agroforestry systems, especially owing to climate emergencies and increased demand for specialty coffees. Shading levels in agroforestry systems (AFS) depend on the design, management and, particularly, on the development and evolution time of the system. Understanding these variations over time, as well as the effects of temporary canopy on coffee production components, can contribute to the creation of more efficient agroforestry designs, especially at the establishment stage. For this reason, this study aimed to assess levels of shading and their influence on the ripening of Yellow Bourbon coffee fruits (Arabica coffee L.). in a four-year-old young agroforestry coffee plantation undergoing stratification and establishment with a temporary canopy formed by Ricinus communis L, the main responsible for the shading of the coffee trees in the moment studied. Shading was established at four distances: 1 m (D1), 4 m (D2), 7 m (D3) and 10 m (D4), from the sunniest edge (north face) to the interior of the AFS. Different levels of shading were assessed by calculating the difference in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under full sun and inside the ASF. Also, total fruit volume, dry fruit percentage and dry biomass of the coffee trees were determined. The greater the edge-to-interior distances in the AFS, the greater the shading level, due to sum of the Ricinus spp. shadows, the self-shading of the coffee trees and the banana trees shadows (mainly for distances D4). The study coffee trees responded evenly within each distance; the more shaded ones produced a greater fruit volume and a lower dry fruit percentage. Coffee dry biomass was greater at distance D4. This study can provide further insights into how environmental factors, design and management of agroforestry systems, can affect coffee fruit ripening-a crucial factor for harvesting planning and production of high-quality coffee.