Genetic dissimilarity and growth of coffee in Cerrado

Genetic dissimilarity can be used to identify promising genotypes for cultivation in specific conditions. Thus, the objective of this work is to study the genetic dissimilarity among 35 genotypes of Coffea arabica in the Cerrado, under irrigation, using phenological data and multivariate statistics. Plant height, stem diameter, canopy diameter, number of orthotropic branch nodes, length of orthotropic branch internodes, length of primary plagiotropic branches, and average plagiotropic branch internode length were evaluated at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after planting. Data were analyzed using Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis. Three clusters were formed for each evaluation (6, 12, 18 and 24 months). At 6 months, the most distant group consisted of Yellow Catucai 2SL, Araponga MG 1, Sacramento MG 1, 23 II, Yellow Catucai 20/15 pit 479, Sarchimor MG 8840, IBC-Palma 2, and New Acaua genotypes. At 12 months, the most distant group consisted of Yellow Catucai 2SL, Asa Branca, Sacramento MG 1, and Sarchimor MG 8840. At 18 months, the most distant group consisted of Yellow Catucai 2SL, Tupi IAC 1669-33, 23 II, Red Obata IAC 1969-20, Sacramento MG 1, and Sarchimor MG 8840. At 24 months, Yellow Catucai 2SL was distinct from the other 34 genotypes. Phenological variables strongly contributed to genetic dissimilarity (>75%) and there was a positive correlation for most variables. Key words: Environment, Coffea arabica L., phenology, multivariate analysis, genetic, dissimilarity.