Varieties Of Coffea Arabica Research Articles

Response of Selected Tall Hybrid Coffea arabica Varieties to N, P and K Nutrients in Tanzania

The growth and yield response of some of TaCRI’s improved tall Coffea arabica hybrids to applied N, P and K were assessed in this work; since, in addition to resistance to CBD and CLR, they are also high yielding (up to 3 t ha-1 against 1.5 t ha-1 of the traditional varieties) and assumed also to be highly nutrient demanding. A split plot RCBD was applied with three replications, five coffee varieties (N39-8, N39-9, N39-11, N39-12 and KP 423 old variety check) as main factors and 4 fertilizer rates (75, 112.5 and 150 g tree-1, together with 37.5g + 10 kg of FYM) as sub factors. Each rate was applied three times per year except FYM which was applied once in two years. Data on canopy width, stem girth, number of bearing primaries, plant height, berry clusters and yields were collected and subjected to ANOVA using Statistica V7 software with means separated using Fisher LSD method at α = 0.05. Variety KP 423 showed a significantly (p<0.05) wider canopy and more berry clusters than the test varieties. N39-8 excelled in number of branches, stem girth and tree height. It also gave higher yield (1894 kg clean coffee ha-1) which was significantly different (p<0.05) from other varieties. Plant height, stem girth and yield response to the fertilizer options showed an asymptotic relationship with the turning point at 112.5 g tree-1. Interaction between Variety N39-8 and 37.5g tree-1 + FYM resulted into significantly higher yield (2436 Kg clean coffee ha-1). It is tentatively concluded that the assumed high nutrient demand for the new varieties is unlikely, at least in the first four years. As such, 37.5g tree-1 of NPK (20:10:10) applied three times per year + 10 kg of FYM per tree applied once in two years; or 75g of NPK (20:10:10) per tree if applied three times per year is enough for the test varieties under this age.

Propagation of Rust-Tolerant Coffea arabica L. Plants by Sprout Rooting in Microtunnels

Small Peruvian coffee producers face low yields per hectare, caused mainly by recent rust outbreaks and by natural crossing of coffee varieties, which are sown without specific order. Coffee rust has drastically reduced areas of susceptible but high-quality cup varieties as caturra, pache, and nacional, which have been replaced by others with high grain weight, but low-quality cup. This study aimed to determine the rooting capacity of sprouts subjected to different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (AIB) in three varieties of Coffea arabica, in the San Martin region, Peru. The most appropriate sprout rooting characteristics allowing to propagate rust-tolerant C. arabica plants were evaluated, under the effect of four doses of AIB (0, 1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm) in three coffee varieties (caturra, pache, and nacional), using microtunnels as rooting environments. A completely randomized design, consisting of three repetitions per treatment and six sprouts per repetition, was used. At the end of 50 days, the best rooting result (89%) was obtained with a dose of 2000 ppm of AIB in the caturra variety. The overall results are successful, since there is a conversion rate of sprouts into useful seedlings of more than 85%, if proper handling conditions are implemented. This method of propagation of rust-tolerant C. arabica sprouts by microtunnels enables a mass production of seedlings. The validation of these results could lead to the establishment of entire rust-tolerant coffee farms.

Explaining the distribution of Rhabdopterus jansoni in coffee plantations: insights from diet breadth and preference

Understanding the factors that influence the dynamics of herbivory becomes a particularly important challenge when considering agricultural systems. Here we use the regionally specific herbivore of Coffea spp., Rhabdopterus jansoni (Jacoby) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and explore the potential factors which contribute to its dynamics and relative densities in coffee agroecosystems. Our experiments have shown that R. jansoni did not feed differentially on varieties of Coffea arabica, but preferred all varieties of Coffea arabica to Coffea canephora. No difference was found in R. jansoni’s preference for young or old coffee leaves, R. jansoni was more abundant in plantations of C. arabica relative to C. canephora, and finally, R. jansoni was found on 15 of 18 shade trees surveyed in the agroecosystem. Interestingly the lab preference experiments correspond to the relative densities of R. jansoni in the field, suggesting to us that field surveys may represent a metric of preference for some herbivores in agroecosystems. Additionally we discuss various factors to be considered when attempting to understand the role that shade trees may play in agroforestry systems.

CRESCIMENTO DE CAFEEIROS ENXERTADOS CULTIVADOS EM SOLUÇÃO NUTRITIVA

The use of grafting in coffee, and give greater tolerance for nematodes, have shown influence on the growth of coffee, so the purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth of different varieties of Coffea arabica L. grafted into Apoata IAC 2258 ( Coffea canephora ). The experiment was installed in a greenhouse, using the method of cultivation in nutrient solution. It used a factorial 7 x 3 + 2, and seven cultivars of C. arabica L. (Palma II, Catucai 2SL, Oeiras MG 6851, Obata IAC 1669-20, Acaua, Topazio MG 1190 and Paraiso MG H 419-1), three types of seedlings (coffee cultivars grafted on ‘Apoata IAC 2258’, self grafted, meaning a cultivar was grafted on a rootstock of the same cultivar and no grafting) and two additional treatments (Apoata self grafted and Apoata no grafting). The technique of grafting did not disadvantage the development of seedling trees. Cultivars Acaua, Paraiso MG H 419-1 and Catucai 2SL had better perform when grafted. The development of the root system of the plants self-grafted and non-grafted seedlings was better then grafted seedlings. Cultivars Palma II, Obata IAC 1669-20 and Oeiras MG 6851have potential to promote the root system development similar to Apoata self-grafted seedlings.

Ricoseius loxocheles, a phytoseiid mite that feeds on coffee leaf rust.

One of the most important diseases of coffee plants is the coffee leaf rust fungus Hemileia vastatrix Berkeley and Broome (Uredinales). It can cause 30% yield loss in some varieties of Coffea arabica (L.). Besides fungus, the coffee plants are attacked by phytophagous mites. The most common species is the coffee red mite, Oligonychus ilicis McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae). Predatory mites of the Phytoseiidae family are well-known for their potential to control herbivorous mites and insects, but they can also develop and reproduce on various other food sources, such as plant pathogenic fungi. In a field survey, we found Ricoseius loxocheles (De Leon) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on the necrotic areas caused by the coffee leaf rust fungus during the reproductive phase of the pathogen. We therefore assessed the development, survivorship and reproduction of R. loxocheles feeding on coffee leaf rust fungus and measured predation and oviposition of this phytoseiid having coffee red mite as prey under laboratory conditions. The mite fed, survived, developed and reproduced successfully on this pathogen but it was not able to prey on O. ilicis. Survival and oviposition with only prey were the same as without food. This phytoseiid mite does not really use O. ilicis as food. It is suggested that R. loxocheles is one phytoseiid that uses fungi as a main food source.

Antioxidative responses of cell suspension cultures of two Coffea arabica varieties to low aluminum levels at pH 5.8

The effects of aluminum (Al) on the activities of antioxidant enzymes and ferritin expression were studied in cell suspension cultures of two varieties of Coffea arabica, Mundo Novo and Icatu, in medium with pH at 5.8. The cells were incubated with 300 µM Al3+, and the Al speciation as Al3+ was 1.45% of the mole fraction. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were increased in Mundo Novo, whereas glutathione reductase (GR) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX) activities remained unchanged. SOD, GR, and GST activities were increased in Icatu, while CAT activity was not changed, and GPOX activity decreased. The expression of two ferritin genes (CaFer1 and CaFer2) were analyzed by Real-Time PCR. Al caused a downregulation of CaFER1 expression and no changes of CaFER2 expression in both varieties. The Western blot showed no alteration in ferritin protein levels in Mundo Novo and a decrease in Icatu. The differential enzymes responses indicate that the response to Al is variety-dependent.

Discrimination of organic coffee via Fourier transform infrared–photoacoustic spectroscopy

Procedures for the evaluation of the origin and quality of ground and roasted coffee are constantly needed for the associated industry due to complexity of the related market. Conventional Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy can be used for detecting changes in functional groups of compounds, such as coffee. However, dispersion, reflection and non-homogeneity of the sample matrix can cause problems resulting in low spectral quality. On the other hand, sample preparation frequently takes place in a destructive way. To overcome these difficulties, in this work a photoacoustic cell has been adapted as a detector in a FTIR spectrophotometer to perform a study of roasted and ground coffee from three varieties of Coffea arabica grown by organic and conventional methods. Comparison between spectra of coffee recorded by FTIR-photoacoustic spectrometry (PAS) and by FTIR spectrophotometry showed a better resolution of the former method, which, aided by principal components analysis, allowed the identification of some absorption bands that allow the discrimination between organic and conventional coffee. The results obtained provide information about the spectral behavior of coffee powder which can be useful for establishing discrimination criteria. It has been demonstrated that FTIR-PAS can be a useful experimental tool for the characterization of coffee.

Development of microsatellite markers for identifying Brazilian Coffea arabica varieties

Microsatellite markers, also known as SSRs (Simple Sequence Repeats), have proved to be excellent tools for identifying variety and determining genetic relationships. A set of 127 SSR markers was used to analyze genetic similarity in twenty five Coffea arabica varieties. These were composed of nineteen commercially important Brazilians and six interspecific hybrids of Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora and Coffealiberica. The set used comprised 52 newly developed SSR markers derived from microsatellite enriched libraries, 56 designed on the basis of coffee SSR sequences available from public databases, 6 already published, and 13 universal chloroplast microsatellite markers. Only 22 were polymorphic, these detecting 2-7 alleles per marker, an average of 2.5. Based on the banding patterns generated by polymorphic SSR loci, the set of twenty-five coffee varieties were clustered into two main groups, one composed of only Brazilian varieties, and the other of interspecific hybrids, with a few Brazilians. Color mutants could not be separated. Clustering was in accordance with material genealogy thereby revealing high similarity.

Coffea arabica hybrid performance for yield, fertility and bean weight

The performance of F1 hybrid plants derived from crosses between traditional varieties of Coffea arabica of Latin America with a “wild” collection of Sudan–Ethiopian origin were studied for yield, fertility and bean weight. Sudan–Ethiopian material possesses resistance to certain diseases, and possibly, better beverage quality. The objective of this breeding programme is to widen the very narrow genetic base of Central American coffee, even while increasing quality and productivity. The hybrid plants were obtained from two factorial crosses made and evaluated in two locations. They were compared in the two field trials using the six maternal lines as controls. Observations were taken on vegetative characters, annual and cumulated yield, dry weight of 100 beans, extent of early abortion as measured by the fraction of ‘peaberries’ and post-zygotic ovule fertility as measured by the fraction of mature no-floating berries in water (FF). The F1 hybrid population were compared to the populations of maternal lines for the aforementioned variables. An index-based selection was done in the hybrid populations employing three traits, yield, 100-bean weight and the post-zygotic fertility (FF). The performance of the selected hybrids was then compared to those of the best parental ‘control’ lines in each trial. The hybrid populations yielded 22–47% more than the maternal lines, but hybrids showed significantly more sterility than the parental control lines. Selection in the hybrid populations using the three selected traits led to significant genetic gain for yield and dry weight of 100 beans, and insignificant gain for fertility (FF). When selected on the basis of fertility alone, increase in yield and 100-bean weight were not obtained within the hybrid populations. By applying selection on yield and 100-bean weight, the selected hybrids produced 11–47% higher yields than the best line along with significantly higher or identical 100-bean weight and performed identically for fertility. The yield performance of hybrids between the Latin American material and the “wild’’ Sudan–Ethiopian material calls for further selection effort for improving beverage quality.

Shrinkage Evaluation of Five Different Varieties of Coffee Berries during the Drying Process

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of moisture content variation on reduction of superficial area, volume and equivalent sphere diameter of coffee berries. Four varieties of Coffea arabica (cv Catuaı́ Vermelho, Catuaı́ Amarelo, Mundo Novo and Catimor) and one variety of Coffea canephora (cv Conilon) were used. From the results obtained, it was concluded that moisture content in the coffee berries affects its physical properties causing significant decrease of the superficial area, volume and diameter of the equivalent sphere during a drying process. The varieties of coffee had different shrinkage behaviour. The Conilon coffee had the highest level of berry shrinkage, the volume decreased 35% during the drying process from 1·38 to 0·12 dry basis (d.b.) berry moisture content. The shrinkage behaviour during the drying process was well explained by a polynomial model with coefficient of determination greater than 90%.

Screening of Coffea arabica varieties for resistance to Colletotrichum kakawae sp. nov., the causal fungus to Coffee Berry Disease (CBD)

Screening of Coffea arabica varieties for resistance to Colletotrichum kakawae sp. nov., the causal fungus to Coffee Berry Disease (CBD)

Chemical investigations on resistance to coffee berry disease in Coffea arabica. An antifungal compound in coffee cuticular wax

SUMMARYInvestigations have been made into the possibility of a chemical basis for resistance to coffee berry disease in certain Coffea arabica varieties. Chloroform extracts of the cuticular wax of berries, purified by fractionation and chromatography, proved toxic to a range of fungi including Colletotrichum coffeanum, the causal organism of coffee berry disease. Leaf cuticular wax also contained this fungitoxic principle, though at a lower level. The possible importance of this antifungal material in determining resistance to coffee berry disease is discussed.

Albumin fractionation of green coffee seed varieties by acrylamide gel-electrophoresis

Approximately a dozen protein fractions have been found in aqueous extracts of green coffee seeds by means of disk-electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. The best separation was obtained when 6 M urea was present in the gel. The albumin extracts obtained from different varieties of Coffea arabica and of C. canephora exhibit the same general electrophoretic pattern.

Título en español.

Las correlaciones entre los rendimientos de fruta y los caracteres morfológicos de los arbustos de café se calcularon en 16 muestras de las variedades Puerto Rico y Columnaris, ambas pertenecientes al Coffea arabica L. En 11 muestras de la variedad Puerto Rico, el rendimiento de fruta estuvo correlacionado en forma positiva y significativa con la circunferencia del tallo principal, medida a nivel del terreno. También, en más de la mitad de las muestras, el rendimiento estuvo correlacionado en forma positiva y significativa con la anchura del dosel del arbusto, el largo de sus ramas laterales primarias y el número de nudos en cada rama lateral primaria. En todas las cinco muestras de la variedad Columnaris, el rendimiento de fruta estuvo correlacionado en forma positiva y significativa con la circunferencia del tallo principal, medida a nivel del terreno. Tambiéen, en más de la mitad de las muestras el rendimiento estuvo correlacionado en forma positiva y significativa con la altura del arbusto, la anchura del dosel y el número de ramas laterales secundarias en cada rama lateral primaria. La circunferencia del tallo del arbusto, medida a nivel del terreno, y la anchura del dosel fueron los caracteres principales del arbusto, en ambas variedades, que estuvieron correlacionados con el rendimiento de fruta.

Spontaneous Hybridization of Coffee Varieties and Species in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican, Columnaris, and Bourbon varieties of Coffea arabica are commonly grown in Puerto Rico. In some localities there are small plantings also of other coffees, such as Excelsa (C. excelsa) and Robusta (C. canephora). Recently some farmers have started testing several newly introduced Arabica-types coffees, such as Caturra, Villalobos, Mundo Novo, Mibirizi, and so on. The farmers generally establish mixed plantings of different coffee varieties and species rather than planting them in separate plots. The time of flowering of these coffees overlaps. These conditions are favorable to spontaneous hybridization. Spontaneous hybridization of Bourbon with Puerto Rican and Columnaris was studied, using the genetic tester "bronze." In one of the experiments 18 progenies were raised using open-pollinated seed collected from individual Bourbon trees growing mixed with Puerto Rican and Columnaris at different locations. In these progenies the proportion of spontaneous hybrids varied from 0 to 34.14 percent. Taking all the progenies into account, out of a total of 4,994 plants studied, 5.66 percent were spontaneous hybrids. In another experiment two populations were raised using openpollinated random seed samples collected from a Bourbon planting surrounded by Puerto Rican and Columnaris plantings. Out of a total of 1,126 plants of both populations, 7.54 percent were spontaneous hybrids. Taking both experiments into account, out of a grand total of 6,120 plants studied, 6.01 percent were spontaneous hybrids.

Teor de óleo e de cafeína em variedades de café

Determinou-se a porcentagem de óleo e de cafeína em sementes de diversas variedades de Coffee arabica. As sementes provieram de frutos despolpados, secos em terreiro sem despolpar, ou secos na própria planta. O tratamento des frutos influiu sôbre o teor de óleo, sendo também significativa a diferença entre as variedades. Os dados confirmam resultados anteriores de que a variedade mucronata é rica e a, variedade laurina, pobre, em óleo. No que concerne ao teor de cafeína, o tratamento dos frutos não mostrou influência, mas pronunciada diferença se constatou entre as variedades. Sete das variedades se mostraram mais pobres do que o café 'Sumatra', tomado comg padrão. A variedade laurina destacou-se das demais pelo baixo teor dêsse alcalóide com, aproximadamente, a metade do nível encontrado nas demais variedades analisadas, o que a torna valiosa para um piano de melhoramento visando a redução do nível de cafeína nas sementes.

Observações preliminares sôbre a porcentagem de óleo nas sementes de variedades e progenies selecionadas de café

As principais variedades de Coffea arabica da coleção de Campinas, bem como algumas progênies de maior produtividade de um ensaio de seleções regionais, também desta localidade, foram analisadas a fim de verificar a variabilidade no teor de óleo que apresentam. Na coleção de variedades notou-se que as menores porcentagens em óleo foram encontradas nas amostras dos cafés Amarelo de Botucatu (10,51) e Mokka (10,911 e, as mais elevadas, em amostras dos cafés Mucronata (17,75), Bourbon Vermelho (17,07) e São Bernardo (17,06). Notou-se, de um modo geral, que as amostras despolpadas se revelaram mais ricas em óleo do que as não despolpadas. Nas duas séries de determinações realizadas no ensaio de seleções regionais observou-se ampla variação nas principais progênies de Mundo Novo, várias das quais se mostraram mais ricas em óleo do que a var. typica, tomada como padrão. Entre as linhagem mais produtivas do café Mundo Novo, a de prefixo CP 387-17 (13,90%) revelou-se mais pobre em óleo do que as demais, enquanto as de prefixos CP 385.20 (16,38%), CP 390-2 (16,28%), CP 374-3 (16,25%), P 381-1 (16,22%) e CP 379-19 (16,20%), mostraram-se com maior teor em óleo, indicando a possibilidade de serem selecionadas progênies do café Mundo Novo com maior ou menor, conteúdo, de óleo nas sementes.

Genética de Coffea: XVII - Herança do característico angustifólia em Coffea arabica L.

Mutantes angustifólia são encontrados tanto em viveiro como em plantações das diversas variedades de Coffea arabica L. Êstes mutantes apresentam folhas afiladas em ambas as extremidades e poucas domácias, e diferem em outros característicos, não constituindo, portanto, um grupo morfologicamente homogêneo. Efetuou-se a análise genética de duas plantas angustifólia (n.° 446 e RP 104) que diferem ligeiramente na aparência, tendo-se tomado a variedade typica de C. arabica como padrão. Achou-se que os principais característicos de cada uma dessas duas plantas angustifólia são controlados independentemente por dois fatôres genéticos recessivos, ag1ag1 e ag2ag2, e que êstes fatôres genéticos reduzem a produção e o vigor das plantas quando na condição homozigota. Êstes gens têm efeitos complementares, verificando-se que as progênies das plantas heterozigotas, de fôlhas normais e de constituição Ag1ag1Ag2ag2, são constituídas de plantas normais e angustifólia na relação de 9:7. Os cruzamentos efetuados entre outras oito plantas angustifólia com os cafeeiros 446 e RP 104, indicaram que duas delas são também homozigotas para os alelos ag1ag1. Cruzamentos recíprocos, envolvendo outras plantas angustifólia, deram resultados diferentes, ocorrendo plantas angustifólia apenas quando estes cafeeiros foram usados como planta-mãe. As progênies dêstes cafeeiros deram plantas normais e angustifólia, nas relações que se aproximam de 2:1 e 9:7. A progênie de uma das plantas angustifólia apresentou-se constituída apenas de plantas normais. Ainda não se encontrou explicação razoável para estas segregações anormais.

Genética de Coffea. XVIII - Variegação no cafeeiro

A variegação das fôlhas do cafeeiro tanto em plantas novas como em plantas adultas tem sido freqüentemente observada. Plantas variegadas podem ocorrer espontaneamente nas progénies das diversas variedades de Coffea arabica L., motivo porque não devem constituir variedade distinta dessa espécie, como foi proposto por Cramer. As plantas variegadas em estudo puderam ser agrupadas em duas categorias, isto é, aquelas em que a variegação não se acha associada com anomalias na forma e textura das folhas e aquelas nas quais a variegação é acompanhada dessas anomalias. No primeiro grupo o padrão de variegação não é uniforme para tôdas as fôlhas, enquanto no segundo grupo o padrão é semelhante para tôda a planta. Usualmente apenas alguns ramos das plantas do primeiro grupo são variegados. Observou-se algumas vezes que as duas fôlhas do mesmo verticilo têm padrões semelhantes de variegação. Encontraram-se também fôlhas variegadas nas quais a metade da lâmina é variegada ou mesmo albina, enquanto a outra metade apresenta a côr verde normal. Os dados genéticos obtidos, embora preliminares para a maioria das plantas variegadas em investigação, permitiram concluir que o padrão de variegação da planta 180, pertencente ao primeiro grupo, é herdado pelo citoplasma e não é transmitido pelo pólen. O padrão de variegação da planta 253-21, pertencente ao segundo grupo, no entanto, parece ser transmitido pelo polen.

Taxonomia de Coffea arabica L. VI: caracteres morfológicos dos haplóides

No decorrer dos trabalhos de melhoramento do café em execução no Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, plantas haplóides foram encontradas nas variedades typica, bourbon, maragogipe, semperflorens, laurina, erecta, caturra e San Ramon, da espécie Coffea arabica. Todos os haplóides apresentam porte menor e fôlhas mais estreitas e mais finas do que as variedades que lhes deram origem. Apesar de as flores serem completas, nota-se esterilidade muito acentuada. Raramente se formam alguns frutos, e êstes são providos de uma única semente, motivo pelo qual as plantas haplóides são denominadas "monosperma". Os fatôres genéticos dominantes maragogipe (Mg), erecta (Er), caturra (Ct) e San Ramon, bem como os gens recessivos semperflorens (sf), e laurina (lr), das variedades estudadas, manifestam-se nas plantas haplóides, de modo semelhante ao que ocorre nas plantas diplóides correspondentes. O fator para coloração bronze dos brotos novos tem dominância incompleta e, na condição heterozigota (Brbr), mostra intensidade intermediária de côr. Nas plantas haplóides contendo um só alelo Br, a côr dos brotos novos é bronze-clara. Uma única dose do fator Na, que também apresenta dominância incompleta, dando, na forma heterozigota (Nana) e na presença de tt, o fenótipo conhecido por murta, manifesta-se, na forma haplóide, dando plantas semelhantes às homozigotas ttNaNa, apenas com fôlhas mais estreitas e mais finas. Chamou-se atenção para as linhas puras de café obtidas pela duplicação do número de cromosômios dos haplóides e sua aplicação nos ensaios de linhagens e na determinação das taxas de mutação. As observações realizadas na meiose da espécie C. arabica, bem como os dados das análises genéticas e as observações feitas nesses haplóides parecem indicar que, se essa espécie fôr alotetraplóide, tal origem deve ser bem antiga, comportando-se hoje a espécie C. arábica, como um diplóide normal. As plantas monosperma, bem como as plantas bullata, podem ser encontradas em qualquer variedade de café, motivo por que não devem ser consideradas como variedades, mas, apenas, como haplóides ou poliplóides das variedades de que se originaram.