Agronomic and Cherry Characteristics of 10 Yellow Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Accessions Grown at Different Altitudes in Temanggung

Abstract

Yellow fruited Arabica coffee is a rare genetic variant with high potential for specialty coffee production, yet its agronomic performance remains poorly documented, particularly under different altitude conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic traits and cherry characteristics of ten yellow Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) accessions grown at varying altitudes in Temanggung Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. The research was conducted as a descriptive exploratory quasi-field experiment across three altitude ranges: 1101–1300, 1301–1500, and >1501 masl. Observations included qualitative fruit characteristics based on IPGRI (1996) descriptors and quantitative agronomic traits related to productivity and flavor determinants, such as cherry brix content, water content, pH, fruit and bean dimensions, yield components, and peaberry occurrence. The results revealed substantial variation among accessions in both agronomic and fruit characteristics, indicating strong genotype environment interactions, particularly with altitude. Accessions grown at higher altitudes generally exhibited higher brix values, larger fruit and bean sizes, and improved green bean weight, reflecting enhanced flavor potential and productivity. Several accessions also showed unique qualitative traits, such as distinct ripe fruit color and fruit disc type, which are valuable phenotypic markers for genotype differentiation. Overall, the findings demonstrate that yellow Arabica coffee accessions in Temanggung possess considerable agronomic diversity and production potential, highlighting their suitability for further selection and development as local superior clones to support sustainable specialty coffee cultivation.