Studies with Antitranspirants on Coffee (Coffea Arabica L.)

Abstract

The paper describes the use of antitranspirants in alleviating the problem of water stress and the possibility of employing them to synchronize and improve flowering. Phenylmercuric acetate (PMA), essentially a metabolic inhibitor and maleic hydrazide, a growth retardant applied at concentrations ranging from IO-fM to 10-IM generally resulted in increased , low transpiration rate and a high degree of succulence; maleic hydrazide (MH) was most effective at IO-IM, whereas PMA was most effective at IO-2M. Because of the toxic nature of PMA, it is recommended that maelic hydrazide be used for alleviating the problem of stress in coffee.