The aim of this study was to identify, within the germplasm bank of the Minas Gerais state, Coffea arabica L. accessions with low levels of caffeine and check the correlation between grain and leaves in seedling stage, making possible the practice of early selection. Seventy-five coffe accessions (cultivars, hybrids and several wild genotypes) were evaluated from the coffee germplasm bank of the Minas Gerais state. In the correlation study, eight cultivars were used on randomized complete block design with three replications. Were evaluated the caffeine levels in the grains and the third and fourth pair of true leaves. Six accessions had caffeine levels in grains smaller than 0.88%. Was also detected a significant correlation between the caffeine levels in the third (0.69) and fourth (0.92) pair of leaves and grains. Genotypes were identified with low levels of caffeine and great yield may be used as parental in breeding programs. It is possible to perform early selection for caffeine content in coffee plants, still in the seedling stage, by evaluating the fourth pair of leaves.
Coffea arabica L; Genetic breeding; Correlation phenotypic; Early selection
