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Current status of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) genetic resources in Ethiopia: implications for conservation

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Abstract

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the current situation of coffee genetic resources that are dwindling at an alarming rate in Ethiopia, the centre of diversity of Coffea arabica. Firstly, we describe the coffee growing systems (forest coffee, semi-forest coffee, garden coffee and plantation coffee) and recent research on the genetic diversity of the coffee planting material associated with those systems. Whilst the maximum genetic diversity revealed by DNA-based markers is found in the forest coffees of the south-western highlands, the natural habitat of C. arabica, the taxonomy of coffee landraces is particularly rich in garden coffee systems located in ancient growing zones such as Harerge in eastern Ethiopia. After reviewing the factors involved in the genetic erosion of the Ethiopian genepool, we give an update on the status of coffee genetic resources conserved ex situ in the field genebank of the Jimma Agricultural Research Centre, with 4,780 accessions spread over 10 research stations located in the main production areas, and in the main genebank of the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation located in Choche (Limu) with 5,196 accessions conserved. Lastly, we mention the in situ conservation operations currently being implemented in Ethiopia. Improving our knowledge of the genetic structure of Ethiopian forest and garden coffee tree populations as well as genetic resources conserved ex situ will help to plan the future conservation strategy for that country. To this end, modern tools as DNA-based markers should be used to increase our understanding of coffee genetic diversity and it is proposed, with the support of the international scientific community and donor organizations, to undertake a concerted effort to rescue highly threatened Arabica coffee genetic resources in Ethiopia.

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Notes

  1. Traded grade Jimma 5 is a mix of basic qualities of various Ethiopian growing areas’ sundried coffees.

  2. Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer, France (now IRD, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement).

  3. A landrace may be defined as a set of populations (or clones) of a crop species developed and maintained by farmers and recognized by them as all belonging to the same entity (Guarino 1995). In general, a landrace is adapted to local environmental conditions and/or specific uses.

  4. According to Aregay (1988), there is evidence of coffee cultivation on a large scale in the Harerge region since the 16th century, while such development occurred only in the later 18th century in south-western Ethiopia.

  5. Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) is a shrub of which the fresh young leaves and tender shoots are chewed for their stimulant effect. The World Health Organization classifies khat as a drug of abuse that can produce moderate psychic dependence. Khat is consumed locally or exported, mainly to Djibouti, Yemen, and Somalia.

  6. In this figure, we include five accessions from Eritrea, formerly a province of Ethiopia, now an independent country.

  7. Die-back: A phenomenon of physiological decline which can culminate in tree death, due to a nutritional imbalance, exacerbated by inadequate cultural practices (absence of shade, lack of fertilizers, etc.) or a lack of adaptation to the pedo-climatic conditions of the conservation site.

  8. In 1998, the Mechara research station in Harerge was totally destroyed during civil strife, leading to the definitive loss of a collection of 592 accessions collected in 1986 in that zone of high genetic erosion. The station has been re-established in 2005.

  9. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GmbH, Germany.

  10. Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (Center for Development Research) of the University of Bonn, Germany.

  11. French word commonly applied to vineyards, a terroir is characterized by a physical environment, cultural practices, harvesting and processing methods that contribute to the originality of its production and give a unique character to its product.

  12. ICGN is committed to advancing genomic research through international partnerships for sustainable coffee production (ICGN 2008).

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Acknowledgements

This work was made possible thanks to the support of the Coffee Improvement Project (Phase IV) funded by the European Union. The main partners of this project are the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ethiopia, JARC, IBC, BDPA (Bureau pour le Développement de la Production Agricole, France) and CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIRAD, UMR RPB, TA A-98/IRD, Montpellier, 34398, France

    Jean-Pierre Labouisse & Benoît Bertrand

  2. Jimma Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 192, Jimma, Ethiopia

    Bayetta Bellachew

  3. Consultant ICO-EU-WB, 47 Randolph Avenue, London, W9 1BQ, UK

    Surendra Kotecha

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  1. Jean-Pierre Labouisse
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  2. Bayetta Bellachew
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Labouisse, JP., Bellachew, B., Kotecha, S. et al. Current status of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) genetic resources in Ethiopia: implications for conservation. Genet Resour Crop Evol 55, 1079–1093 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-008-9361-7

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