Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Association and Path Coefficient Analysis of Some Arsi Coffee Accesions (Coffea arabica L.) for Quality Traits at Mechara, Ethiopia

Received: 11 March 2024     Accepted: 9 August 2024     Published: 27 August 2024
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Abstract

Coffee is still one of Ethiopian’s primary agricultural export crops accounting for more than 25% of export earnings. Arsi coffee is known to produce Harar C coffee quality grade and known for its unique flavor and aroma. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine association among coffee bean quality traits and, the direct and indirect effects of bean quality traits on overall quality of coffee. A total of 56 Arsi coffee accessions and four Hararghe coffee varieties were evaluated for bean physical and organoleptic coffee quality traits using Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The analysis of variance results showed significant variation among Arsi coffee accession for all traits except astringency, bitterness, and odor. The overall coffee quality had positive and significant phenotypic and genotype correlations with aromatic intensity, aromatic quality, acidity, body, flavor, overall standard quality and overall cup quality. These traits also had positive direct effects on overall coffee quality however; aromatic intensity and body exerted negligible negative direct effects at genotypic level whereas aromatic quality had negative direct effect at phenotypic level. All these traits through overall standard quality, and aromatic intensity, aromatic quality and acidity via each other and through body and flavor exerted positive direct effects on overall coffee quality at genotypic level. Thus majority of quality traits could be used for indirect selection of genotypes for overall coffee quality.

Published in Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (Volume 12, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14
Page(s) 196-204
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cup Quality, Correlation, Path Coefficient Analysis

1. Introduction
Coffea arabica L. belongs to the genus Coffea, in the family Rubiaceae. The basic chromosome number for the genus Coffea is, x =11. It is commonly known as the only allopolyploidy and self-fertile species of the genus Coffea, with chromosome number 2n = 4x = 44, while others are diploid (2n = 2x = 22) and self- infertile . It ranks second after oil in international trade and has created several million jobs in the producer and consumer countries where more than nine million tons of green beans are produced annually . Ethiopia is the fifth major exporter of Arabica coffee in the world next to Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia and Indonesia; while it is the highest producer among African countries . Ethiopia is naturally endowed with a suitable climate for the production of high quality coffee. Tthere are different coffee types recognized by their origin and quality, and used as trade names in Ethiopia. These include Bebeka, Harar, Jimma, Kaffa, Lekempti/Wellega, Limmu, Sidama, Teppi and Yirgacheffe . Arsi coffee is known to produce Harar C coffee quality grade and known for its unique flavor and aroma. Knowledge of correlations that exist between important characters may facilitate the interpretation of the result obtained and provide the basis for planning more efficient program for the future . It is indicate the importance of studying correlation between characters in the determination of the most effective breeding procedures . Few researchers conducted research on association and path coefficient analysis on coffee quality attributes in Ethiopia . However, the information is limited on association and path coefficient analysis in coffee bean quality attributes. Therefore, to study the coffee accessions from Arsi known to produce Harar C coffee quality grade will provide information about the inherent bean quality attributes difference of Arsi coffee accessions. The information may help breeders to design breeding methods to improve Arsi coffee accessions either by selection and/or hybridization. This research was therefore initiated with the objective to determine association among coffee bean quality traits and, the direct and indirect effects of bean quality traits on overall quality of coffee.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Description of the Study Area
The experiment was conducted at Mechara Agricultural Research Center (McARC) in 2017 cropping season. The center is located near Mechara town in Daro-Labu district of West Hararghe Zone. It is 434 km East of Finfinne and 108 km Southeast of Chiro, the zonal capital. Geographically, it is located between latitude of 8o36'38" North and longitude of 40o19'29" East at an altitude of 1760 m.a.s.l. The soil type is deep, well-drained and slightly acidic Nitosol. The area has an erratic rainfall with high variability in the onset and cessation of the main rainfall season. Generally, the area receives an average annual rainfall of 871mm of which the peak rainfall months are from June to October, while the lowest (dry) months are from November to February. Its annual mean minimum and maximum air temperatures are 14°C and 26°C respectively (McARC, 2010).
2.2. Experimental Materials and Design
Fifty six arabica coffee promising accessions which have been collected from Arsi zone along with four released Hararghe coffee selections were used for this study.
Table 1. Geographical origin Arsi coffee (Coffea arabica L.) accessions.

Acc. no.

Collection area

Woreda

Acc. no.

Collection area

Woreda

Ar04/11

Haro

Gololcha

Ar78/11

Jinka Dhibu

Gololcha

Ar08/11

M/laga Buna

Chole

Ar50/11

Manya Adare

Chole

Ar40/11

M/Warqi Darartu

Gololcha

Ar76/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar56 /11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar23/11

M/Oda Adi

Chole

Ar07/11

M/laga Buna

Chole

Ar30/11

Darartu

Chole

Ar82/11

Jinka Dhibu

Gololcha

Ar119/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar83/11

Jinka Dhibu

Gololcha

Ar75/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar10/11

M/laga Buna

Chole

Ar26/11

M/Oda Adi

Chole

Ar57/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar72/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar53/11

Manya Adare

Gololcha

Ar28/11

M/Oda Adi

Chole

Ar52/11

Manya Adare

Chole

Ar74/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar63/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar36/11

M/Warqi Darartu

Chole

Ar64/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar44/11

Manya Adare

Chole

Ar65/11

Mine Gora

Chole

Ar115/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar77/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar46/11

Manya Adare

Chole

Ar87/11

Jinka Dhibu

Chole

Ar33/11

M/Warqi Darartu

Chole

Ar88/11

Jinka Dhibu

Gololcha

Ar118/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar15/11

M/laga Buna

Chole

Ar47/11

Manya Adare

Chole

Ar18/11

M/laga Buna

Gololcha

Ar69/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Ar19 /11

M/laga Buna

Chole

Ar106/11

Geda Seka

Chole

Ar03/11

Jeda Saqa

Chole

Ar102/11

Geda Seka

Chole

Ar84/11

Jinka Dhibu

Gololcha

Ar95/11

Geda Seka

Gololcha

Ar38/11

Darartu

Chole

Ar12/11

M/laga Buna

Gololcha

Ar101/11

Geda Seka

Gololcha

Ar100/11

Geda Seka

Gololcha

Ar11/11

M/laga Buna

Chole

Ar34/11

Darartu

Chole

Ar93/11

Geda Seka

Gololcha

Ar103/11

Geda Seka

Gololcha

Ar21/11

M/Oda Adi

Chole

Arusa

Ar66/11

Mine Gora

Gololcha

Mocha

Standard checks

Ar37/11

M/Warqi Darartu

Chole

Mechara-1

Ar02/11

Jeda Saqa

Chole

Bultum

The Arsi coffee accession were planted along with four released Hararghe coffee varieties in 2012 G. C. Augmented design was used for field planting with spacing of 2 m between plants and 3 m between blocks were maintained. The laboratory experiment was conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Selective hand picking method was applied to collect only red ripe cherries from trees selectively leaving behind unripe green beans to be harvested later. Accordingly, more than three harvests were conducted to collect cherries to prepare the required amount of beans for the experiment. The collected fresh cherry accessions were placed on raised bed mesh wire under sun for drying. Fully dried accessions were hulled with mortar. The dried pulp, the parchment skin part of the husk was removed. 100gm of dried green coffee beans was prepared for each accession per replication and roasted for an average of six minutes to medium roast under roasting temperature of 200°C. Grinding was done the roasting accession using coffee electrical grinder (MahlKonig, Germany) with middle adjustment. Finally brewing preparation was made for cup tasting by a group of experienced and well trained coffee tasters of Jimma Agricultural Research center.
Table 2. Standard parameters and their values used for liquor quality.

Parameters

Scale

Description of each scale

0

1

2

3

4

5

Aromatic intensity

0-5

Nil

V. light

Light

Medium

Strong

V. strong

Aromatic quality

0-5

Nil

V. light

Light

Medium

Strong

V. strong

Bitterness

0-5

Nil

V. light

Light

Medium

Strong

V. strong

Astringency

0-5

Nil

V. light

Light

Medium

Strong

V. strong

Parameters

Scale

Description of each scale

0

2

4

6

8

10

Acidity

0-10

Nil

Lacking

Light

Medium

M. pointed

pointed

Body

0-10

Nil

V. light

Light

Medium

M. full

Full

Flavor

0-10

Nil

Bad

Fair

Medium

Good

V. good

Overall standard

0-10

Nil

Bad

Regular

Good

V. good

Excellent

2.3. Data Collection
2.3.1. Raw Coffee Bean Quality Attributes
A total of 300g of green beans sample were prepared per each accession for raw beans and cup quality attributes analysis. The green bean evaluated for raw beans quality according to the standard established for washed coffee raw quality. Accordingly, raw coffee bean quality was determined by bean size, shape and make, color and odor traits.
Bean size: distribution of coffee bean was determined by conventional screen analysis using perforated plate screens of diameter sizes 14 (5.55mm).
Table 3. Standard parameters and their values used for coffee raw quality (40%).

Shape and make (15%)

Color (15%)

Odor (10%)

Quality

Points

Quality

points

Quality

Points

Very good

15

Bluish

15

Clean

10

Good

12

Grayish

12

Fair clean

8

Fair good

10

Greenish

10

Trace

6

Average

8

Coated

8

Light

4

Mixed

6

Faded

6

Moderate

2

Small

4

White

4

Strong

0

2.3.2. Cup Quality Attribute
Three cups per sample in three replications were prepared for each accession and tasting session. The accessions replicated for each accession was arranged at random. The sensory evaluation of each accessions and the cup quality were carried out by three trained and certified professional panelists of Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC). The cupping form provides a systematic means of recording eight important quality attributes. These include aromatic intensity, aromatic quality, acidity, astringency, bitterness, body, flavor, and overall standard.
2.4. Data Analysis
Data of bean quality traits were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using R-software to examine the presence of statistically significant differences among landraces for the traits studied.
2.5. Correlations Analysis
Phenotypic (rp) and genotypic (rg) correlations between two traits are estimated using the formula suggested by .
Where; rp= Phenotypic correlation coefficient, rg= Genotypic correlation coefficient
Pcovxy = Phenotypic covariance between variables x and y, Gcovxy = Genotypic covariance between variables x and y, Vpx = Phenotypic variance of variable x, Vgx = Genotypic variance of variable x, Vpy = Phenotypic variance of variable y, Vgy = Genotypic variance of variable y
The calculated phenotypic correlation value was tested for its significance using t-test:
t=rphSE (rph)
Where, rph=Phenotypic correlation; SE (rph) = Standard error of phenotypic correlation obtained using the following formula (Sharma, 1998).
SE=1-r2phn-2 
Where, n is the number of genotypes tested, r2p is phenotypic correlation coefficient.
The coefficient of correlations at genotypic levels was tested for their significance by the formula described by as indicated below:
t = rgxy/SErgxy
The calculated ''t'' value was compared with the tabulated ''t'' value at (n-2) degree of freedom at 5% level of significance. Where, n is number of genotypes.
SErgxy =1-r2gxyh2x*h2y
Where, h2x = Heritability of trait x; h2y = Heritability of trait y
2.6. Path Coefficient Analysis
rij = Pij + Σrik pkj where, rij = mutual association between the independent character (i) and dependent character (j) as measured by the genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients.
Pij = direct effects of the independent character (i) on the dependent variable (j) as measured by the genotypic path coefficients, and Σrikpkj = Summation of components of indirect effects of a given independent character (i) on a given dependent character (j) via all other independent characters (k).
The residual effect, which determines how best the causal factors account for the variability of the dependent factor yield, was computed using the formula;
1=p2R + Σ p ij rij
Where, p2R is the residual effect. pij rij = the product of direct effect of any variable and its correlation coefficient with yield.
3. Result and Discussion
The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the presence of significant (P<0.05) differences among the Arsi coffee accessions for raw quality and cup quality traits except bitterness, astringency and odor (Table 4). The presence of significant variations among Arsi coffee accessions for coffee bean quality traits is a good indicator for the existence of exploitable genetic variability for the improvement of Arsi coffee quality through selection and/or crossing of accessions. The existences of a great diversity in Ethiopian coffee gene pools have been reported by many scientists .
Table 4. Mean squares of coffee bean physical and organoleptic quality attributes of Arsi coffee accessions.

Trait

Genotype

EMS

SE

CV%

Acidity

0.68**

0.21

0.51

6.19

Aromatic Intensity

0.22*

0.15

0.42

9.44

Aromatic Quality

0.38*

0.21

0.49

11.09

Astringency

0.16ns

0.38

0.6

14.8

Bitterness

0.22ns

0.49

0.7

17

Body

0.44**

0.18

0.46

5.66

Flavor

0.84**

0.12

0.37

4.8

Overall Standard

0.79**

0.17

0.47

5.58

Total cup quality

20.71**

3.95

2.21

4.31

Bean size

867.10**

1.06

1.17

1.37

Color

0.63*

0.3

0.66

4.29

Odor

0.05ns

0.05

0.23

2.4

Shape and make

2.85**

0.42

0.68

5.44

Total raw

4.31**

0.88

1.12

2.71

Overall Quality

25.29**

4.94

2.33

2.75

3.1. Genotypic and Phenotypic Correlation of Coffee Quality Attributes
Phenotypic and genotype correlation revealed that overall coffee quality had positive and significant phenotypic and genotype correlation with aromatic intensity, aromatic quality, acidity, body, flavor, overall standard quality and total cup quality. Bean size, total raw and bean shape and make, had positive and significant phenotypic correlation with overall coffee quality, the traits that exhibited positive and significant association both at phenotypic and genotypic levels suggest the high chance of selection of genotypes for observable phenotypic characters to improve the overall coffee quality. Overall cup quality had positive and significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation with aromatic quality, aromatic intensity, acidity, body, flavor and overall standard. Cup quality traits; aromatic quality, flavor, acidity, body and aromatic intensity had significant and strong correlation with overall standard quality. These traits showed positive and significant relationship among themselves at both genotypic and phenotypic correlation. Thus, positive correlation of these traits indicates that selection of high performing genotypes for one of the trait would also simultaneously improve the other traits. Total raw quality showed positive and significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation with color and shape and make. These traits showed positive and significant association among themselves at both correlation levels. This indicates selection of genotypes with high mean value for one of the trait would also simultaneously improve the other traits. Most of organoleptic quality attributes showed strong genotypic correlation with overall coffee quality and among themselves as compared to phenotypic correlation. This indicates true inherent correlation among the traits. Therefore, improvement of these attributes can result in good cup quality. The present study is in agreement with the findings of previous researchers that reported the presence of significant correlation among cup quality attributes and raw bean quality. , reported that strong and significant association among good quality attributes. In addition, the research reported positive and highly significant correlation among most important quality traits. These authors suggested that aromatic quality, body, flavor, acidity and overall standard have to be considered in coffee quality improvement program. also reported positive and significant correlation of overall standard quality with flavor, aromatic quality, acidity and body; indicate selection for these traits can improve overall standard of coffee quality. Cup quality traits (aromatic intensity, aromatic quality, acidity, flavor and overall standard quality) except body had negative and non-significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with overall quality.
Table 5. Phenotypic correlation coefficients of quality traits of Arsi coffee landraces (Coffea arabica L).

AI

AQ

AC

BO

FL

OVS

TC

SHM

CO

TR

BS

OV

AI

1

0.79**

0.62**

0.58**

0.67**

0.59**

0.74**

0.07

-0.2

0

-0.12

0.67**

AQ

1

0.66**

0.63**

0.69**

0.67**

0.80**

0.04

-0.28*

-0.07

-0.11

0.70**

AC

1

0.89**

0.92**

0.93**

0.94**

0.06

-0.2

-0.04

-0.09

0.84**

BO

1

0.92**

0.92**

0.92**

0.14

-0.12

0.06

0.03

0.85**

FL

1

0.94**

0.96**

0.1

-0.16

0.01

-0.05

0.87**

OVS

1

0.95**

0.06

-0.15

-0.01

-0.07

0.86**

TC

1

0.11

-0.18

0.01

-0.06

0.91**

SHM

1

0.35**

0.92**

0.78**

0.48**

CO

1

0.66**

0.25*

0.11

TR

1

0.72

0.43**

BS

1

0.24*

OV

1

AI= aromatic intensity, AQ= aromatic quality, AC= acidity, BO= body, FL= flavor, OVS= overall standard, TC= total cup quality, SHM= shape and make, TR= total raw, BS= bean size, OV = Overall coffee quality
Table 6. Genotypic Correlation coefficients of quality traits of Arsi coffee landraces (Coffea arabica L).

AI

AQ

AC

BO

FL

OVS

TC

SHM

CO

TR

BS

OV

AI

1

AQ

0.99**

1

AC

1.19

1.035**

1

BO

1.18

1.01**

1.09**

1

FL

1.22

1.04**

1.02**

1.10*

1

OVS

1.07

1.05**

1.02**

1.06**

0.99**

1

TC

1.05*

0.98**

1.04**

1.07**

1.02**

1.01**

1

SHM

0.13

0.04

0.02

0.14

0.09

0.05

0.11

1

CO

-0.43

-0.52

-0.22

-0.2

-0.18

-0.18

-0.21

0.44*

1

TR

0.02

-0.11

-0.07

0.05

0.01

-0.03

0.01

0.96*

0.68

1

BS

0.21

0.44

0.32

0.33

0.25

0.28

0.32

0.11

-0.11

0.08

1

OV

0.96**

0.84**

0.91**

0.99**

0.93**

0.91**

0.91**

0.49

0.09

0.42

0.27

1

3.2. Path Coefficient Analysis
3.2.1. Phenotypic Path Coefficient Analysis
Phenotypic path coefficient were showed that aromatic intensity, acidity, body, flavor, overall standard, total cup quality, shape and make and total raw quality exerts positive phenotypic direct effects on overall coffee quality. Whereas aromatic quality and bean size had negative direct effect on overall coffee quality. The negative direct effects of these traits on overall quality indicate that selection for these traits will not be effective for quality improvement. This result partially agree with the finding of who compared four traits (acidity, body, flavor and overall standard) for their suitability as selection criteria for the genetic improvement of overall liquor quality. The direct effects of total cup quality (0.91) on overall quality was high due to indirect effect of organoleptic quality attributes; overall standard (0.87), acidity (0.86), flavor (0.87), body (0.84), aromatic intensity (0.67) and aromatic quality (0.73). Relatively high and positive direct effects of total raw quality on overall quality were due to indirect positive effect of shape and make and bean size.
The positive direct effect of aromatic intensity, acidity, body, shape and make and bean size on overall quality had path coefficient values lower than their correlation values, indicating the magnitude of other traits via which these traits contributed to overall quality. reported high values of direct and indirect effects suggest that the true relationship and direct selection for these traits may also increase and give better response for improvement of overall coffee quality.
3.2.2. Genotypic Path Coefficient Analysis
Genotypic path coefficient analysis revealed that aromatic quality, acidity, flavor, overall standard and total cup quality exerts positive genotypic direct effects on overall coffee quality, while aromatic intensity and body exhibited negative genotypic direct effect on overall coffee quality (Table 8). The direct positive effects of these traits on overall coffee quality indicates direct selection based on these traits can be effective via overall quality and its components for more efficiency during selection process. Overall cup quality had exerted maximum positive direct effect (P = 0.92) and had positive and significant correlation with overall quality. The genotypic correlation of these traits with the cup quality and overall quality was high indicating the importance of cup quality traits in overall coffee quality. Thus strong and significant genotypic association with overall quality mainly due to indirect effect of aromatic intensity, aromatic quality, acidity, body, flavor and overall standard. Relatively moderate positive and significant direct effect was observed from flavor and acidity, while aromatic intensity and body had low degree of negative direct effects toward on overall coffee quality.
According to the present study, most of organoleptic quality traits except, overall cup quality showed weak genotypic direct and indirect effect on overall coffee quality. The present studies are in agreement with the work of earlier researchers. The author indicated that aromatic intensity, aromatic quality, acidity and flavor are good quality attributes. Similarly, suggested that flavor, overall standard, aromatic quality, acidity and body have to be considered in coffee quality improvement programs. also reported flavor, body, astringency and aromatic intensity exhibited positive direct effect on overall standard of coffee quality and selection for this character can bring improvement in overall standard of coffee quality. The authors suggested the simultaneous selection for acidity; aromatic quality and aromatic intensity with flavor to improve the overall quality of coffee.
The residual effect in path analysis determines how best the component (independent) variables account for the variability of the dependent variable, yield per plant . Accordingly the residual effect from genotypic path coefficient analysis had 0.0542, showed that all the traits included in the study explained high variability in overall coffee quality (94.58%). The remaining unexplained variability explains 5.42%. This may either due to non-studied traits or the influence of environment on the traits.
Table 7. Estimates of direct (bold diagonal) and indirect effects (off diagonal) at phenotypic level of quality traits on overall quality of Arsi coffee landraces.

AI

AQ

AC

BO

FL

OVS

TC

rp

AI

0.0007

-0.0005

0.0017

0.0015

-0.0018

-0.0041

0.673

0.67**

AQ

0.0006

-0.0007

0.0018

0.0016

-0.0018

-0.0047

0.7294

0.70**

AC

0.0005

-0.0004

0.0027

0.0023

-0.0025

-0.0064

0.8595

0.84**

BO

0.0004

-0.0004

0.0024

0.0026

-0.0024

-0.0063

0.8346

0.85**

FL

0.0005

-0.0005

0.0025

0.0024

0.0027

-0.0065

0.8732

0.87**

OVS

0.0004

-0.0005

0.0025

0.0024

-0.0025

0.0069

0.8652

0.86**

TC

0.0005

-0.0005

0.0025

0.0024

-0.0026

-0.0066

0.9102

0.91**

Residual= 3.20%, AI= aromatic intensity, AQ= aromatic quality, AC= acidity, BO= body, FL= flavor, OVS= overall standard, TC= total cup quality, SHM= shape and make, TR= total raw, BS= bean size, OV = Overall coffee quality
Table 8. Estimates of direct (bold diagonal) and indirect effects (off diagonal) at genotypic level of quality attributes on overall quality Arsi coffee Collections and four Hararghe coffee.

AI

AQ

AC

BO

FL

OVS

TC

Rg

AI

-0.001

0.001

0.024

-0.007

-0.04

0.007

0.96

0.96**

AQ

-0.001

0.001

0.021

-0.006

-0.034

0.007

0.90

0.84**

AC

-0.001

0.001

0.02

-0.006

-0.033

0.007

0.96

0.91**

BO

-0.001

0.001

0.022

-0.006

-0.036

0.007

0.98

0.99**

FL

-0.001

0.001

0.02

-0.006

0.033

0.007

0.94

0.93**

OVS

-0.001

0.001

0.02

-0.006

-0.032

0.007

0.93

0.91**

TC

-0.001

0.001

0.021

-0.006

-0.033

0.007

0.92

0.91**

Residual= 5.42%, AI= aromatic intensity, AQ= aromatic quality, AC= acidity, BO= body, FL= flavor, OVS= overall standard, TC= total cup quality, SHM= shape and make, TR= total raw, BS= bean size, OV = Overall coffee quality
4. Conclusion
Phenotypic and genotype correlations showed that strong association among coffee quality attributes. The positive indirect genotypic effect on overall quality were influenced by overall standard quality, aromatic quality, aromatic intensity, body, acidity and flavor through total cup quality. Generally, aromatic intensity, aromatic quality, acidity, body, flavor, overall standard quality and total cup quality had positive and significant correlations with overall coffee quality and also had positive direct and indirect effects via other traits on overall coffee quality that could be used as indirect selection of accessions for overall coffee quality.
Acknowledgments
I am very grateful to Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (OARI), for financial support. I am thankful to Mechara Agricultural Research Center for material support. I am very thankful to the staff of Jimma Agricultural Research Center, especially panelists in Coffee processing and liquoring unit for analysis of samples in the laboratory.
Author Contributions
Sintayehu Girma: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal Analysis, Validation, Investigation, Writing - original draft, Methodology, Visualization, Writing - review & editing
Wassu Mohammed: Software, Validation, Supervision, Writing - review & editing
Ashenafi Ayano: Supervision, Validation, Writing - review & editing
Data Avalability Statement
The data for this research will be available upon request from the corresponding author.
Conflicts of Interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Girma, S., Mohammed, W., Ayano, A. (2024). Association and Path Coefficient Analysis of Some Arsi Coffee Accesions (Coffea arabica L.) for Quality Traits at Mechara, Ethiopia. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 12(4), 196-204. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14

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    ACS Style

    Girma, S.; Mohammed, W.; Ayano, A. Association and Path Coefficient Analysis of Some Arsi Coffee Accesions (Coffea arabica L.) for Quality Traits at Mechara, Ethiopia. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2024, 12(4), 196-204. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14

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    AMA Style

    Girma S, Mohammed W, Ayano A. Association and Path Coefficient Analysis of Some Arsi Coffee Accesions (Coffea arabica L.) for Quality Traits at Mechara, Ethiopia. J Food Nutr Sci. 2024;12(4):196-204. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14,
      author = {Sintayehu Girma and Wassu Mohammed and Ashenafi Ayano},
      title = {Association and Path Coefficient Analysis of Some Arsi Coffee Accesions (Coffea arabica L.) for Quality Traits at Mechara, Ethiopia
    },
      journal = {Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences},
      volume = {12},
      number = {4},
      pages = {196-204},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfns.20241204.14},
      abstract = {Coffee is still one of Ethiopian’s primary agricultural export crops accounting for more than 25% of export earnings. Arsi coffee is known to produce Harar C coffee quality grade and known for its unique flavor and aroma. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine association among coffee bean quality traits and, the direct and indirect effects of bean quality traits on overall quality of coffee. A total of 56 Arsi coffee accessions and four Hararghe coffee varieties were evaluated for bean physical and organoleptic coffee quality traits using Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The analysis of variance results showed significant variation among Arsi coffee accession for all traits except astringency, bitterness, and odor. The overall coffee quality had positive and significant phenotypic and genotype correlations with aromatic intensity, aromatic quality, acidity, body, flavor, overall standard quality and overall cup quality. These traits also had positive direct effects on overall coffee quality however; aromatic intensity and body exerted negligible negative direct effects at genotypic level whereas aromatic quality had negative direct effect at phenotypic level. All these traits through overall standard quality, and aromatic intensity, aromatic quality and acidity via each other and through body and flavor exerted positive direct effects on overall coffee quality at genotypic level. Thus majority of quality traits could be used for indirect selection of genotypes for overall coffee quality.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Association and Path Coefficient Analysis of Some Arsi Coffee Accesions (Coffea arabica L.) for Quality Traits at Mechara, Ethiopia
    
    AU  - Sintayehu Girma
    AU  - Wassu Mohammed
    AU  - Ashenafi Ayano
    Y1  - 2024/08/27
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14
    T2  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
    JF  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
    JO  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
    SP  - 196
    EP  - 204
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-7293
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20241204.14
    AB  - Coffee is still one of Ethiopian’s primary agricultural export crops accounting for more than 25% of export earnings. Arsi coffee is known to produce Harar C coffee quality grade and known for its unique flavor and aroma. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine association among coffee bean quality traits and, the direct and indirect effects of bean quality traits on overall quality of coffee. A total of 56 Arsi coffee accessions and four Hararghe coffee varieties were evaluated for bean physical and organoleptic coffee quality traits using Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The analysis of variance results showed significant variation among Arsi coffee accession for all traits except astringency, bitterness, and odor. The overall coffee quality had positive and significant phenotypic and genotype correlations with aromatic intensity, aromatic quality, acidity, body, flavor, overall standard quality and overall cup quality. These traits also had positive direct effects on overall coffee quality however; aromatic intensity and body exerted negligible negative direct effects at genotypic level whereas aromatic quality had negative direct effect at phenotypic level. All these traits through overall standard quality, and aromatic intensity, aromatic quality and acidity via each other and through body and flavor exerted positive direct effects on overall coffee quality at genotypic level. Thus majority of quality traits could be used for indirect selection of genotypes for overall coffee quality.
    
    VL  - 12
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Mechara Agricultural Research Center, Mechara, Ethiopia

  • School of Plant Science, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia

  • Jimma Agricultural Research Center, Jimma, Ethiopia