Unraveling Drought Tolerance and Sensitivity in Coffee Genotypes: Insights from Seed Traits, Germination, and Growth-Physiological Responses

The coffee plant is highly susceptible to drought, and different genotypes exhibit varying degrees of tolerance low soil moisture. goal this work was explore the interrelation between seed traits germination events, growth patterns, physiological responses genotypes, aiming identify significant associations that may facilitate selection exhibiting enhanced drought yield potential. Two consecutive experiments were conducted examine impact these factors. In first experiment, performance examined for three groups genotypes: relatively tolerant (Ca74140, Ca74112, Ca74110), moderately sensitive (Ca74158, Ca74165, CaJ-21), (Ca754, CaJ-19, CaGeisha). subsequent experiment focused on two (Ca74110 Ca74112) (CaJ-19 Ca754) under stress condition. showed quicker more complete compared other groups. This associated with higher moisture content, surface area volume ratio, coefficient velocity germination, variation time, index. Additionally, seedling vigor. results second demonstrated superior in relative Young plants belonging exhibited than a net assimilation rate strongly correlated water leaf number, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll-a. addition, strong correlation young ratio seeds, as well percentage. vigor index rate, chlorophyll growth, cell membrane stability. Furthermore, principal component analysis illustrated distinct clustering based their growth-physiological performance. Overall, findings study suggest traits, post-germination events are integral factors determining sensitivity, adult plants.