Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the grain yield of Arabica coffee cultivars grown under high temperatures in regions of low altitude and high mean temperatures in the State of Rondônia, Brazil. Thirty-five Arabica coffee cultivars provided by Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (EPAMIG) were evaluated. A randomized block design was used with three replications, spacing of 3.0 x 1.0 m, with four plants per plot. All the crop seasons showed a significant difference for the green coffee yield trait. In joint analysis, a significant difference was detected among the cultivars. In the mean of the four harvests, green coffee yield was 24.60 bags ha^-1. The yield of the cultivars CatucaíAmarelo 24/137 and ObatãVermelho IAC 1669-20 stood out, with yields greater than 35 bags ha^-1. Four cultivars with better performances were selected with a gain from selection of 40.93% in green coffee yield. In regard to the maturation cycle, 29 cultivars exhibited an early cycle, five medium cycles and one late cycle.

Key words: Coffea arabica L., coffee plant breeding, heat tolerance.