Phenotypic characterization of coffee accessions
Of the 7,830 coffee tree accessions, collected in the 1980s in several countries, including Guinea, Cameroon, Kenya, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Congo, Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, 2029 accessions were phenotypically characterized on at least one descriptor of IPBGR and UPOV.
Coffee plays an important economic role in Ivory Coast, the country is the 3rd African producer behind Ethiopia and Uganda.Globally, it occupies 15th place with a production of 1.47 million 60 kg bags of coffee beans for 2021/2022. Ivorian coffee is best known for its intense aroma, bitter and full-bodied taste.
Indeed, the country mainly cultivates Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner) whose caffeine level is double that of Arabica (Coffea arabica L.). However, a hybrid of the two is being tested in Côte d'Ivoire, it is Arabusta.This sector nevertheless remains dependent on climatic conditions and the use of inefficient, unstable plant material that is sensitive to the main diseases.
The improved varieties cover barely 10% of the area cultivated with coffee by producers. However, wild and / or local varieties of coffee are available in the collections of the National Agronomic Research Center (CNRA). These wild and / or local varieties of coffee, although less productive, are genetically more diverse and better adapted to local environmental conditions. They constitute a valuable genetic reservoir which can be exploited in breeding programs. To preserve this native material, genetic heritage management programs (i.e. collection, characterization, evaluation and conservation of genetic resources) deserve more attention. The characterization of existing biodiversity is a main component of such a program. The use of phenotypic tools resulting from the genotype / medium combination remains essential because they represent the specific elements of the varieties.
Clay soil, rich in organic matter, not floodable and deep.
Plot size: 8ha
Sowing density: 1333 plants/ha
Soil pH between: 4.5 and 5.5
Rooting medium temperature: between 24- 30°C
Average of five normal mature green fruits, measured at the thickest part
Average of five normal mature green fruits, measured at the widest part
Average of five normal mature green fruits, measured at the largest part
Average of five mature (> node 3 from the terminal bud) leaves, measured at the widest part
Average of five mature (> node 3 from the terminal bud) leaves, measured from petiole end to apex
This is the unique identifier for accessions within a genebank, and is assigned when a sample is entered into the genebank collection (e.g. ‘PI 113869’).
List of accessions included in the dataset