Influence of the root system of Coffea arabica L. cv. Caturra rojo J-884 plants obtained by somatic embryogenesis, during the conversion phase

The management of the root system of the plants obtained by somatic embryogenesis increases the efficiency of their adaptation under nursery conditions.This work aimed to determine the influence of the characteristics of the root system of coffee plants obtained by somatic embryogenesis on the survival and ex vitro adaptation of plants in the nursery. Plants of Coffea arabica L. cv. Caturra Rojo J-884 were used. Two management treatments were established: plants with total root pruning and plants with partial root pruning to a length of 1.5 cm. At 180 days of culture, different morpho-physiological variables were evaluated. It was found that the presence or not of the root system influenced the morphological development of plants during the conversion phase in the nursery. Survival was higher in plants with partial pruning of their roots (91.8%) compared to plants with a total pruning of the root system (76.8%). Similarly, the values in the morphological and physiological variables evaluated were significantly higher. This management allows that plants obtained during the germination phase that show some deformation caused by the physical effect of the culture bottle are not discarded.