Comparison of Germination Potential Among Released Coffee ( <i>Coffea arabica</i> L.) Varieties in a Controlled Environment

Ethiopia is the center of origin for Arabica coffee and has been dramatically working on improving coffee production technologies for the last 56 years. Coffee seedlings take a long time, and their qualities pose challenges in coffee production. To improve these, several studies implemented germination influences, factors, and storage periods. However, studies on varietal differences are limited, particularly those that simultaneously compare variations among varieties, which could serve as a basis for future breeding and improvement programs. Therefore, this study focused on comparison of differences in germination among 14 coffee varieties using a randomized complete block design with three replications at Jimma Agricultural Research Center. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mean comparison of significantly different traits were analyzed using R software of agricolae package. The germination, vigor, uniformity, and growth traits were analyzed. The results revealed immense variations in germination potential, vigor, and uniformity. The Haru‐1 variety exhibited superior growth parameters, including a mean node number of 1.44, internode length of 2.74 cm, and plant height of 9.11 cm. Among the studied varieties, Menesibu stood out in root fresh weight (0.43 g), Mocha in shoot fresh weight (2.67 g), and Qoti in shoot‐to‐root ratio (9.56), respectively. In contrast, Fayate showed the poorest performance across most growth parameters, except for plant height, in which Geisha recorded the lowest value. Environmental factors means apply managements at seedling stage. Thus, Arabica coffee varietal differences during early germination and growth stages arise from genetic diversity, seed structure, hormonal balance, and environmental adaptation. Understanding these factors helps optimize germination protocols and seedling management for better crop performance. Based on this study’s findings, Fayate variety showed highest performance as compared to the others under controlled nursery condition and the same management. This superior performance indicates that it may possess genetic, nongenetic, or a combination of factors that differ from the studied varieties. Therefore, the repeatability and factors behind the differences need further study to get viable seed and uniform coffee seedlings.