Response of Coffee Genotypes (Coffea Arabica) for Moisture Stress Condition at Tepi, South West of Ethiopia

Abstract

Coffee has a substantial source of income for the Ethiopian growers as well as world market contributing (Worku and Astatkie, 2010). The coffee market fluctuation in the international trade has been affected by the low production of coffee and its quality (ITC, 2010). South-West Ethiopia is well known for tropical humid and lowland crop cultivation including coffee. The area receives an annual average of 1500mm precipitation. However, the presence of erratic rainfall has created moisture stress during the critical period of coffee cultivation and the yield has been severely reduced.