The breeding programs have sought to provide rust-resistant cultivars, since the genetic control is the
most economical and efficient method of management of this plant disease. This study investigated the relationship
between the rust severity, vigor and crop yield capacity of conilon coffee plants. The experiment was conducted in
the Experimental Farm of Bananal do Norte (INCAPER), located in Cachoeito de Itapemirim, in the southern state of
EspÃrito Santo. The crop yield was evaluated in 20 combinations of 4 levels of vigor and 5 levels of rust severity. The
experimental design used was in randomized blocks, with four replications and 5 plants per plot. There was the
formation of five groups of homogeneous means for the combinations and the means was adjusted to a response
surface model. The combinations between the levels of vigor and rust severity influenced the crop yield of conilon
coffee in the evaluated conditions. The vegetative vigor factor was the more limiting than the rust severity in
determining the coffee plants yield.
