Varietal Evaluation of Coffee Genotype in Subtropical Nepal

Abstract

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is an emerging high-value crop in Nepal, but national productivity remains far below genetic potential, partly due to the lack of locally validated variety recommendations. This study evaluated and compared the morphological and yield-attributing characteristics of 19 Arabica genotypes at the Horticulture Research Station, Malepatan, Pokhara (848 m above sea level) from January to June 2026 using a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Yellow Caturra recorded the highest total fresh cherry yield (5.34 kg/plant), followed by Caturra Amarillo (3.56 kg/plant), Catuai Vermelo (3.19 kg/plant), and Catuai Amarillo (3.10 kg/plant). Catuai Amarillo and Caturra Amarillo produced the most bearing branches (76 and 72, respectively), while Caturra Amarillo and Yellow Caturra had the most cherries per node (7.73 and 7.47). Pacamara and Selection-10 achieved the maximum 100-cherry weight (167.67 g), while Indonesia had the largest cherry diameter (13.38 mm). Catuai Amarillo had the highest total soluble solids (25.97 degree Brix), while Tekisic had the lowest (16.80 degree Brix). Coffee leaf rust severity increased from a mean of 7.49% at 30 days after incidence (DAI) to 37.58% at 120 DAI. Selection-10 was the least affected genotype across the severity assessments and recorded the lowest area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC; 25.03 rating-days), whereas Caturra Amarillo had the highest AUDPC (347.95 rating-days). Overall, Yellow Caturra showed the strongest yield performance, while Selection-10 combined low disease development with a high 100-cherry weight. These results indicate that genotype selection should consider productivity, quality-related traits, and CLR response together.