STUDIES ON STOMATAL BEHAVIOUR OF ARABICA COFFEE 1. INFLUENCE OF THE SEASONS
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Abstract
Studies on stomatal behaviour of arabica coffee as affected by seasons were carried out on five coffee cultivars : Catimor LC 1662, Red Catuai, Mundo Novo, Icatu and Red Caturra. The plants were grown at Chang Kian Experimental Station, Chiang Mai; 1,200 m a.s.l.. Variation of air temperature, light intensity and air humidity in each season would change the leaf to air water vapour deficit, which consequently influenced the stomatal behaviour.
The leaf to air water vapour deficit was higher in summer than in winter and in rainy season respectively. To minimize water loss from leaves, plants control stomatal aperture in such a way that the stomatal conductance was lowest in summer. The widest stomatal opening was measured in rainy season.
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References
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