Arabica coffee, native to Ethiopia, is esteemed for its exceptional quality and dominates the global specialty coffee market. As the primary cultivated coffee species, it accounts for approximately 60–65% of global coffee production. The genetic diversity of Arabica coffee, shaped through natural evolution and human domestication, is a cornerstone of its adaptability and resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. Domestication syndrome traits such as reduced seed dispersal, compact growth, and increased uniformity have facilitated its cultivation, yet these traits have inadvertently narrowed its genetic base, making the crop more vulnerable to environmental and pathogenic threats. The genetic makeup of Arabica coffee is unique, with an allotetraploid genome that combines contributions from two diploid species, Coffea canephora and Coffea eugenioides. Despite its evolutionary significance, Arabica coffee exhibits relatively low genetic variation compared to other Coffea species. This limited diversity heightens its susceptibility to genetic erosion caused by deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable monoculture practices. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserving Arabica’s genetic resources, employing both ex-situ and in-situ strategies. Ex-situ methods include seed banks, cryopreservation, and field gene banks, while in-situ conservation protects wild populations in their natural habitats. Modern biotechnological tools such as molecular markers, genetic mapping, and somatic embryogenesis enhance the precision and efficiency of germplasm conservation and utilization. Breeding programs aim to address the challenges posed by climate change, pests, and diseases by developing varieties with enhanced drought tolerance, disease resistance, and higher yields. Hybrid vigor (heterosis) has shown promise in boosting adaptability and productivity. While vegetative propagation ensures uniformity and retention of elite traits, it limits genetic recombination, which is vital for long-term adaptability. In contrast, seed-based propagation facilitates genetic improvement but may compromise trait consistency. Notable achievements in breeding include improved cultivars like Geisha, SL28, and F1 hybrids, which balance productivity with stress resilience. Preserving Arabica coffee’s genetic base and advancing breeding efforts remain essential to securing the crop’s future and maintaining its contribution to global agriculture and livelihoods.
| Published in | International Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology (Volume 9, Issue 4) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.ijfsb.20240904.14 |
| Page(s) | 80-106 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Arabica Coffee, Genetic Diversity, Germplasm Conservation, Breeding Strategies, Heterosis, Biotechnology in Coffee, Improved Coffee Varieties
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APA Style
Nasiro, K. (2024). Arabica Coffee: Genetic Diversity, Conservation Challenges, and Breeding Approaches. International Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology, 9(4), 80-106. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfsb.20240904.14
ACS Style
Nasiro, K. Arabica Coffee: Genetic Diversity, Conservation Challenges, and Breeding Approaches. Int. J. Food Sci. Biotechnol. 2024, 9(4), 80-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijfsb.20240904.14
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Download@article{10.11648/j.ijfsb.20240904.14,
author = {Kalifa Nasiro},
title = {Arabica Coffee: Genetic Diversity, Conservation Challenges, and Breeding Approaches
},
journal = {International Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology},
volume = {9},
number = {4},
pages = {80-106},
doi = {10.11648/j.ijfsb.20240904.14},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfsb.20240904.14},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijfsb.20240904.14},
abstract = {Arabica coffee, native to Ethiopia, is esteemed for its exceptional quality and dominates the global specialty coffee market. As the primary cultivated coffee species, it accounts for approximately 60–65% of global coffee production. The genetic diversity of Arabica coffee, shaped through natural evolution and human domestication, is a cornerstone of its adaptability and resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. Domestication syndrome traits such as reduced seed dispersal, compact growth, and increased uniformity have facilitated its cultivation, yet these traits have inadvertently narrowed its genetic base, making the crop more vulnerable to environmental and pathogenic threats. The genetic makeup of Arabica coffee is unique, with an allotetraploid genome that combines contributions from two diploid species, Coffea canephora and Coffea eugenioides. Despite its evolutionary significance, Arabica coffee exhibits relatively low genetic variation compared to other Coffea species. This limited diversity heightens its susceptibility to genetic erosion caused by deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable monoculture practices. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserving Arabica’s genetic resources, employing both ex-situ and in-situ strategies. Ex-situ methods include seed banks, cryopreservation, and field gene banks, while in-situ conservation protects wild populations in their natural habitats. Modern biotechnological tools such as molecular markers, genetic mapping, and somatic embryogenesis enhance the precision and efficiency of germplasm conservation and utilization. Breeding programs aim to address the challenges posed by climate change, pests, and diseases by developing varieties with enhanced drought tolerance, disease resistance, and higher yields. Hybrid vigor (heterosis) has shown promise in boosting adaptability and productivity. While vegetative propagation ensures uniformity and retention of elite traits, it limits genetic recombination, which is vital for long-term adaptability. In contrast, seed-based propagation facilitates genetic improvement but may compromise trait consistency. Notable achievements in breeding include improved cultivars like Geisha, SL28, and F1 hybrids, which balance productivity with stress resilience. Preserving Arabica coffee’s genetic base and advancing breeding efforts remain essential to securing the crop’s future and maintaining its contribution to global agriculture and livelihoods.
},
year = {2024}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Arabica Coffee: Genetic Diversity, Conservation Challenges, and Breeding Approaches AU - Kalifa Nasiro Y1 - 2024/12/13 PY - 2024 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfsb.20240904.14 DO - 10.11648/j.ijfsb.20240904.14 T2 - International Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology JF - International Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology JO - International Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology SP - 80 EP - 106 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2578-9643 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfsb.20240904.14 AB - Arabica coffee, native to Ethiopia, is esteemed for its exceptional quality and dominates the global specialty coffee market. As the primary cultivated coffee species, it accounts for approximately 60–65% of global coffee production. The genetic diversity of Arabica coffee, shaped through natural evolution and human domestication, is a cornerstone of its adaptability and resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. Domestication syndrome traits such as reduced seed dispersal, compact growth, and increased uniformity have facilitated its cultivation, yet these traits have inadvertently narrowed its genetic base, making the crop more vulnerable to environmental and pathogenic threats. The genetic makeup of Arabica coffee is unique, with an allotetraploid genome that combines contributions from two diploid species, Coffea canephora and Coffea eugenioides. Despite its evolutionary significance, Arabica coffee exhibits relatively low genetic variation compared to other Coffea species. This limited diversity heightens its susceptibility to genetic erosion caused by deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable monoculture practices. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserving Arabica’s genetic resources, employing both ex-situ and in-situ strategies. Ex-situ methods include seed banks, cryopreservation, and field gene banks, while in-situ conservation protects wild populations in their natural habitats. Modern biotechnological tools such as molecular markers, genetic mapping, and somatic embryogenesis enhance the precision and efficiency of germplasm conservation and utilization. Breeding programs aim to address the challenges posed by climate change, pests, and diseases by developing varieties with enhanced drought tolerance, disease resistance, and higher yields. Hybrid vigor (heterosis) has shown promise in boosting adaptability and productivity. While vegetative propagation ensures uniformity and retention of elite traits, it limits genetic recombination, which is vital for long-term adaptability. In contrast, seed-based propagation facilitates genetic improvement but may compromise trait consistency. Notable achievements in breeding include improved cultivars like Geisha, SL28, and F1 hybrids, which balance productivity with stress resilience. Preserving Arabica coffee’s genetic base and advancing breeding efforts remain essential to securing the crop’s future and maintaining its contribution to global agriculture and livelihoods. VL - 9 IS - 4 ER -
Department of Coffee Agronomy, Institute Ethiopian Agricultural Research, Jimma Agricultural Research Center, Jimma, Ethiopia
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