Progress of Coffee (Coffea arabica L) Hybridization Development Study in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

Ethiopia being the center of origin and genetic diversity of Arabica coffee is lucky in this regard. Despite the existence of high genetic diversity in coffee population that provides immense opportunities for improvement program, shortage of improved hybrid varieties is the major one. It is obvious that research work carried out so far on coffee genetics and breeding was not adequate to address these diverse agro-ecologies of the country. Hybridization study through heterosis and combining ability analysis are some of the basic breeding tools to address such problems. Some studies had been conducted on assessment of heterosis and combining ability analysis for yield and morphological characters of coffee in Ethiopia and the presence of heterosis was reported in crosses of selected indigenous C. arabica L. varieties in Ethiopia under different set of studies mainly due to presence of diverse parental lines. These results clearly suggested that the possibility to bring significant coffee improvement through heterosis and combining ability analysis. Therefore, continuous crossing program should be required to acquire many more cross combinations for intensive and extensive evaluation to develop better performing and high yielding hybrids for Ethiopian origin coffee.

Keywords: Coffee Arabica, Hybrid, Heterosis and combining ability

DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/92-03

Publication date: December 31^st 2019