Developing varieties of Robusta coffee

N. Surya Prakash

• Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing
• Year: 2018
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• eBook ISBN:
  9781838793777
• Subtopic: Agriculture
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Coffee is one of the important agricultural commodities, contributing substantially to the national exchequers of growing countries. Coffee is generally obtained from two types of coffee plants, namely Arabica and Robusta; the two species differ from each other in their centre of origin, breeding behaviour, growth habit, adaptability, production potential and quality attributes, but together produce unique blends for the consumer. This chapter offers a comprehensive review of various topics related to the development of Robusta coffee varieties, including the growth habits and agronomical characteristics of Robusta coffee, its breeding behaviour and genetic resources. The chapter describes the genetic structure of Robusta base populations and their phenotypic variability and initial efforts in the development of improved varieties. The chapter finally addresses the factors limiting sustained breeding initiatives and looks ahead to pragmatic strategies for the future.

Table of contents

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Coffee species and their commercial development
• 3 Growth habits and agronomical characteristics of Robusta coffee
• 4 Breeding behaviour of C. canephora
• 5 Genetic resources and diversity of C. canephora
• 6 Cultivation of C. canephora: historical perspective
• 7 Genetic structure of base populations and phenotypic variability
• 8 Development of improved varieties in Robusta: initial efforts
• 9 Breeding methods followed and Robusta varieties developed
• 10 Limiting factors to sustained breeding initiatives
• 11 Breeding priorities: a rapidly-changing situation
• 12 Developing new varieties of Robusta: scope, limitations and pragmatic strategies
• 13 Future trends and conclusion
• 14 Where to look for further information
• 15 Acknowledgements
• 16 References