A Study on the Yield of Arabica Coffee in Gayo Highland Indonesia: The Significance of Altitudes and Varieties

Abstract

Rising temperatures and fluctuating rainfall patterns harm both the quality and quantity of coffee yields. However, in the Gayo Highlands, the success of arabica coffee crops is directly linked to altitude. This research aims to determine the effect of altitudes and varieties and their combination on arabica coffee yield components and coffee yield. A factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD), with 6 replications, has been used to determine the effect of altitudes, i.e. low-altitudes (>1000-1200 m a.s.l.), mid-altitudes (>1200-1400 m a.s.l.), and high-altitudes (>1400-1600 m a.s.l.); varieties i.e. Gayo-1 (Timtim), Gayo-2 (Borbor), and Gayo-3 (Ateng Super); and their combination. Coffee in low and mid-altitudes have more productive twigs per-productive branch and more coffee cherries per-plant compared to that in high altitudes. The highest weight of dry coffee beans per-plant is found in mid-altitudes. Varieties only significantly affect the average of productive nodes per-productive twig. The combination of altitudes and varieties has a significant effect on the productive twigs per-productive branch and the weight of 100 coffee cherries. To maximize yield, Gayo-1 is better suited for low and mid-altitudes, Gayo-2 is for mid-altitudes, and Gayo-3 is for low-, mid- and high-altitudes