Towards efficient resistance genes-, microbiota and farmers’ indigenous knowledge-based strategy to inhibit the effect of coffee berry disease (CBD)

Ethiopia has unique position in harboring both cultivated and wild arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) and serving as a primary source of its genetic diversity. The wild (forest and semi-forest) arabica coffee constitutes nearly 80% of Ethiopia’s coffee production and export.

However, disease outbreaks are increasingly threatening its gene pool to the extent that it is categorized as Endangered.

Coffee berry disease (CBD) caused by a fungal pathogen Colletotrichum kahawae is a major factor having profound effects on wild coffee diversity and productivity.

Integrating farmers’ knowledge, phenotypic and molecular marker based screening of its gene pool, and use of plant promoting and pathogen antagonizing microbes is vitally important to control CBD. This project is proposed to explore different means of managing CBD.

These include assessing farmers’ CBD related knowledge, characterizing the pathogen, identification of susceptible and resistant genotypes through greenhouse experiments, and collecting and characterizing coffee associated microbes.

Transcriptome analyses for identification of genes that differ among resistant and susceptible genotypes followed by comparative genomics to identify CBD resistance genes and its associated markers will also be conducted. The results will be useful for developing integrated CBD management strategy after further research.

It also adds new information to coffee genomics that advances its utilization for conservation and breeding.