Global: Researchers look at the coffee genome to find a key to climate-resilient coffee

Published 2024년 4월 23일

Tridge summary

A recent study highlights the potential impact of climate change on coffee cultivation, particularly affecting Arabica, which is vulnerable to higher temperatures and has low genetic diversity. Nestlé is developing new Arabica varieties with increased disease and drought resistance, aided by a new 'very high quality' Arabica reference genome. This genome provides insights into the species' history and could aid in identifying traits for improving Arabica cultivars. The research also suggests that coffee may have originated in Yemen, contradicting the common belief of its origin in Ethiopia. Other researchers are using the genetic makeup of Arabica to enhance production by selecting for characteristics such as taste, caffeine level, and disease resistance.

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Original content

Climate change could have a massive impact on the cultivation of coffee. While Arabica is the dominant coffee used globally, it is vulnerable to climate change, and requires higher altitudes and lower temperatures. In addition, it has low genetic diversity, meaning it is susceptible to many pests and diseases and can only be cultivated in a few places around the world where pathogen threats are lower and climate conditions are favorable. Global rising temperatures are making these locations harder to find. In fact, a recent study suggested large parts of land in the world’s largest producer of Arabica, Brazil, could be rendered economically unfeasible for production throughout the course of the century. And coffee leaf rust already causes $1-2 billion in losses annually: posing another threat. Nestlé plant scientists are focusing on new, higher-yielding Arabica varieties with greater resistance to disease and drought. And the new 'very high quality' Arabica reference genome can ...

Source: Beveragedaily