Stability of Arabica coffee genotype (Coffea arabica L.) against leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix)

Abstract

Coffee is now experiencing a serious threat from fungus Hemileia vastatrix which caused epidemic of rust disease in America, Africa, and Asia. As solution, the use of resistant cultivars is the best way. However, interaction between genotype and environment can change the rank of genotypes that shows instability of these genotypes against leaf rust. Purpose of this research was to study stability of genotypes of Arabica coffee against coffee leaf rust. A field experiment was arranged as factorial randomized complete block design with 2 factors (genotypes and climate zones) with three replication. The observed parameters were branch rust incidence, leaf rust incidence, and leaf rust severity. This research result showed significant genotype x environment interaction in all variables. Length of dry season is the most important factor affecting coffee leaf rust because it had the highest correlation coefficient with leaf rust severity (r = 0.662**). Less length of dry season should be the first criteria for selection of coffee farms. The most desired genotype was G7 which performed low leaf rust severity (7.71%) and had a stable resistance indicated by the same leaf rust severity in all environments and 6 SMg. Due to the significant interaction between genotypes and the environment, the genotype to be planted in a region must be tested in that region first.