Badillo-Chico, Paola N.

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    Evaluation of genetic diversity and resistance genes of two rust-resistant coffee varieties, Limani and Fronton
    (2021-06) Badillo-Chico, Paola N.; Giraldo-Zapata, Martha C.; College of Agricultural Sciences; Siritunga, Dimuth; Feliciano-Rivera, Merari; Department of Crops and Agro-Environmental Sciences; Cruzado-Vélez, Ivette
    Coffee was introduced in Puerto Rico in 1736 and was recognized as one of the most valuable products in the Puerto Rican economy during the 19th century. In the island, coffee production is centered in twenty-two municipalities with an area of 8,870 km2 . Leaf rust caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix Berk and Broome is one of the most important diseases of coffee, causing yield losses of up to 35% and can have an epidemiological impact in the following years. In 1982, the Agronomic Institute of Campinas of Brazil provided Puerto Rico through the Agricultural Experimental Station (AES) two coffee varieties: Limani and Fronton, that are resistant to coffee leaf rust. The evaluations carried out in the AES indicated that these varieties performed better on the Island than the varieties Bourbon, Caturra, and Pacas. The introduction of LC-1665 was named Limani and originated from the crossing of Timor Hybrid and Villa Sarchí. Fronton corresponded to the introduction of LC-1661-1, and its parents are the Timor hybrid and Caturra. These two varieties continue to play a critical role in Puerto Rico's coffee production due to their performance and resistance to leaf rust. For the distribution of certified coffee seeds, the assessment of the genetic diversity and the stability of the collections of these two varieties conserved by the AES is compulsory. In addition, it is necessary to evaluate whether Limani and Fronton still retain viable genes associated with resistance against coffee leaf rust. The information generated in this research provides key evidence about the current status of the resistance genes in the Limani and Fronton varieties. Our findings represent the first insight into the genetics of these coffee collections since their introduction 39 years ago.