The species Coffea arabica is responsible for 70% of the world coffee production. The majority of cultivars has a narrow genetic origin, being derived basically from two old cultivars: Tipica and Bourbon. This investigation was carried out aiming at the characterization of selected cultivars of the Instituto Agronomico according to standard descriptors. Thirty five morphological or technological traits of canopy, leaves, flowers, fruits or seeds and three agronomic traits were evaluated in twenty nine cultivar lines of the current breeding program. The variables plant height, fruit color, leaf rust resistance and earliness are sufficient for an efficient identification of groups of cultivars. The color of young leaves and plant diameter are important descriptors for discriminating cultivars of the Mundo Novo group, but they could not identify cultivars of the Catuaí Vermelho, Catuaí Amarelo and Icatu Vermelho groups.
coffee; breeder's right; DUS; cultivar protection
