Vitamins enhance the physiological characteristics of coffee cultivated in the Brazilian Cerrado

Brazil is recognized for the production of high-quality coffees, with worldwide recognition. However, the expansion of production to the Cerrado biome region has been challenging due to its edaphoclimatic characteristics. In this way, technologies are sought that can benefit coffee plants in less favorable environments for their cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of thiamine and pyridoxine application on Arabica coffee cultivars in the Brazilian Cerrado. A randomized block design was used, combining four coffee cultivars (Acaia, Araras, Catucaí 24/137 and Catucaí 2SL) and two vitamins foliar applications (100 mg L⁻¹ thiamine and 100 mg L⁻¹ pyridoxine), and control treatment. Both vitamins provided an increase in the cultivras net photosynthesis and the chlorophyll index, concerning the control treatment. Cultivars treated with pyridoxine showed a greater increase in stomatal conductance and transpiration rate when compared to cultivars treated with thiamine. In this way, it is concluded that the vitamins application contributed to the increase of coffee’s physiological activity, significantly increasing the photosynthetic capacity and the chlorophyll content of the tested cultivars. In general, thiamine reduces the size of coffee plants, which does not occur with the application of pyridoxine, indicating distinct effects on plant morphology.