Número de cromossomos em Coffea racemosa Lour

Abstract

Coffea racemosa is a species that has potencial value for breeding purpose due to the high flavor and low caffeine content of the beverage that is brewed with its seeds. In order to investigate the possibilities of crossing Coffea racemosa with other species of this genus, it was thought of interest to determine its chromosome number. Using a routine technique adopted in the Cytology Department of the Instituto Agro­ nômico, determinations of chromosome numbers were made in root tip of this species. C. racemosa was found to have 2n = 22. It is suggested that hybridization of Coffea racemosa with other diploid species of the genus will probably be easy, but in order to cross it with C. arabica (2n=44) and obtain viable types it might be necessary to duplicate first the chromosome num­ ber of C. racemosa or that of the F 1 hybrid arabica x racemosa in case such an F 1 can be obtained. (1) RANDOLF, L. F. A new fixing fluid and a revised schedule for the paraffin method in plant cytology. Stain Tech. 10:95-96. 1935.