Determination of the number of self-incompatibility alleles (SIA) in Coffea canephora and the role of pollen-stylar protein in the expression of SIA.

Characterisation of Nigerian robusta coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex. Froehner) germplasm.

Jambi known as one of the Robusta coffee producing areas in Indonesia. Many of promising Robusta coffee clones were found at coffee plantations in Jambi and have adapted to local agroecosystems. The study aimed to evaluate the quality of Robusta coffee in Merangin Regency, Jambi Province. The exploration and evaluation were carried out in July 2020 and December 2021 using the survey method. In this study, several Robusta coffees clones that had developed in the community were found, such as Prima, Tugusari Kuning, Bengko, Mendo, and Tugusari Hijau. These clones are preferred because they have good taste and high productivity as well as adaptive in the highlands. The result of cupping test for Prima, Bengko, Local, Tugusari Kuning, Mendo, and Tugusari Hijau clones showed a final score of >80 (Fine Robusta) with a final score ranging from 80.50-81.63, while Parabola and Curup clones were categorized as not specialty with the score of 70.50 and 78.375, respectively. On the other hand, the results of caffeine content analysis of the Curup, Mendo, Parabola, Tugusari Hijau, and Tugusari Kuning clones ranged from 1.33-1.74%. This initial evaluation is expected to provide an overview of the existence of promising Robusta coffee clones in Jambi. Hence, these coffee clones can be developed as local superior clones in the future.

Exploration and evaluation of robusta coffee quality in Merangin Regency, Jambi Province

A study was carried out to characterise thirty-seven Coffea canephora clones using three biochemical characteristics, namely caffeine, phenol and protein contents. The phenol and caffeine contents were determined by gravimetric method, while protein was assessed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of floral bud. The clones were planted using the Fisher blocks, in which five plants of each clone were established in contiguous rows, with three replicates. Data collected were analysed using analysis of variance and means separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Caffeine content among the clones ranged from 1.1% to 1.5% on dry matter basis (dmb). C36 a high yielding clone, has relatively low caffeine content, hence it is a suitable clone that could be included in any breeding programme for low caffeine coffee in Nigeria. All the Niaollou (M) clones had high caffeine content. Phenol content in the berry pulp of the clones ranged from 2.6% to 15.6%. Averaged over clones, phenol content of berry pulp (9.5 %), was significantly (p C. canephora clones observed provides further information on the existing genetic diversity of the coffee clones in addition to that provided by agro-botanical characters.

SS Omolaja

Papers

Caffeine, phenol and protein contents of thirty-seven clones of Nigerian robusta coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex. Froehner)