Current status of the conservation of coffee (Coffea spp.) plant genetic resources

Main Article Content

Yanelis Castilla Valdés

Abstract

The coffee plant (Coffea spp.) is an agricultural crop of significant economic and social relevance in many countries, including Cuba. It is proposed that 60 % of its species are classified as threatened with extinction, so this literature review was proposed with the objective of analyzing the conservation status of coffee plant genetic resources in recent years. Deforestation, climate change and invasive species are some of the risks faced in their sites of origin. The ex situ conservation of coffee germplasm by means of seeds is not feasible for prolonged periods of time, due to the sensitivity of its tissues to desiccation and low temperatures. Germplasm collections in the field are exposed to different risks, from their location in ecological conditions that are not ideal for the survival of all the material, the aging of the specimens, inappropriate cultivation methods and the emergence of pests and diseases, to the lack of interest of local authorities. The biotechnological methods of minimal growth and cryopreservation are promising options for the medium and long term maintenance of coffee plant genetic resources, so it is essential to expand research in this direction, in order to complement the different alternatives for the conservation of this traditional genus.

Article Details

How to Cite
Castilla Valdés, Y. (2022). Current status of the conservation of coffee (Coffea spp.) plant genetic resources. Cultivos Tropicales, 43(1), e15. Retrieved from https://ediciones.inca.edu.cu/index.php/ediciones/article/view/1651
Section
Bibliographic Review

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.