Cafe Arabica Coffea arabica L.

Abstract

Somatic embryogenesis is a technique that has been used in Central America for the multiplication of Coffea arabica F1 hybrids since its creation. The coffee breeding program for Central America—PROMECAFE (1992–2006)–was implemented with the participation of CATIE, CIRAD and the coffee institutes in the region. The selected hybrids are more vigorous than the traditional ones with higher value in productivity, precocity, tolerance to leaf rust and cup quality. Although somatic embryogenesis is the ideal technique for the multiplication of these materials; the process is intensive and of long duration, so the final cost per plant is very high in comparison with the plants obtained from seeds. These factors and others have limited the transfer of these hybrids to the producers who need to renew their plantations. To facilitate this process, CATIE established a two-stage multiplication strategy: 1-The regeneration of juvenile mother plants by somatic embryogenesis; and 2-The establishment of clonal gardens in the greenhouse for horticultural multiplication. This innovation allows the rapid multiplication of the hybrids and reduces the cost per plant produced in the greenhouse.