EVALUATION OF ETHYLENE PRECURSOR IN THE UNIFORMIZATION AND ACCELERATION OF MATURATION OF COFFEE FRUITS
Keywords:
Coffea arabica L, Early Harvest, Metabolism, Physiology, HarvestAbstract
Coffee trees vary in maturity, influenced by genetic, climatic, and management factors, which can compromise harvest efficiency and beverage quality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of applying different doses of ethephon to accelerate fruit maturation and provide greater uniformity in coffee bean maturation in the Nova Alta Paulista region of São Paulo. The experiment was conducted in a commercial Arabica coffee plantation, cultivar Obatã, in the Nova Alta Paulista region of São Paulo, in a randomized complete block design using four doses of the ripening agent Etherel 720 (0, 300, 500, and 700 mL ha⁻¹) with five replicates. Evaluations included the percentage of fruits at different maturity stages and the quantification of leaf abscission. The results showed a significant reduction in the proportion of green fruits and an increase in the cherry and ripe stages in the treatments with the regulator, demonstrating the effectiveness of ethephon in accelerating and synchronizing ripening. Although an increase in the percentage of leaf abscission was observed, it is assumed that this did not detrimental to postharvest recovery or biennial production. It is concluded that under the conditions studied, the use of ethephon, especially at a dose of 300 mL ha⁻¹, represents a strategic tool for coffee management, contributing to earlier and more uniform harvest. However, the importance of further evaluations regarding cup quality is emphasized.
