Effect of Peptide Concentration on the Flowering and Fruiting Phenology of Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

This study is a descriptive experimental research aimed at observing and describing the phenological phases of flowering and fruiting in Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plants in response to the application of different peptide concentrations. The research was conducted using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with a single factor treatment, namely peptide concentration (P), consisting of three levels: P₀ = 0 ml peptide/L water (control), P₂ = 2 ml peptide/L water, and P₄ = 4 ml peptide/L water. Each treatment was replicated nine times, resulting in a total of 27 Arabica coffee plants as samples. The observed variables included three main phenological components: (1) new shoot growth, observed based on the time of emergence (days after treatment) and morphological changes until the shoots reached the flowering-ready stage; (2) flowering, observed from the appearance of the first flower until full bloom, with visual documentation at each developmental stage; and (3) fruiting, observed from the formation of the first fruit (fruit set) until the fruit turned red (physiological maturity), with periodic visual documentation of fruit development. All observations were conducted visually and photographically at intervals corresponding to the plant developmental stages. The results showed that peptide application had a significant effect on all observed phenological phases. Treatment with a concentration of 4 ml/L water (P₄) produced the best results, including faster new shoot growth, more uniform flowering, and more optimal fruiting compared to the other treatments. This indicates that peptide acts as a natural biostimulant, enhancing plant physiological activity and accelerating the differentiation of generative tissues. Therefore, the application of peptide at a concentration of 4 ml/L is recommended as a cultivation strategy to improve growth efficiency, productivity, and uniformity of Arabica coffee plants. Further studies are suggested to determine the most effective timing of application and to investigate the physiological mechanisms by which peptide supports the development of generative organs in coffee plants.