BOTANY
Crop improvement is central to the future of the coffee
industry. The division of Botany hence is the cynosure and holds the key
to the sustained economic growth of the industry. Much as some of the released
varieties have been performing exceedingly well under different agro-climatic
conditions, efforts continue to evolve genotypes tailor made to suit the
changing situations in general and region in particular. Biometrics,
Horticulture and Seed multiplication which initially were projects have become
full fledged line of study. In essence the aim is at varietal improvement in
coffee for better resistance to leaf rust, higher productivity, superior quality
and wide adaptability.
SALIENT ACHIEVEMENTS
- Establishment of gene bank with over 415 arabica and
15 robusta types and 26 different species of coffee.
- Release of 12 elite arabica varieties. Of
these varieties like S.795, Sln.5 and Sln.6 also have hitgh yield potential,
tolerance to leaf rust and good cup quality.
- Three robusta varieties for commercial cultivation
released, significant being the CXR an interspecific hybrid.
- Vegetative propagation techniques like single noded
cuttings and mallet cuttings standardized to obtain true to type planting
material.
- Grafting techniques at seedling stage to circumvent
the problem of nematodes and top working to convert moribund plantations
into productive ones developed.
ON-GOING PROGRAMMES
- Improvement of station breed arabica selections.
- Development of new hybrids for rust
resistance, productivity and quality.
- Multilocation evaluation of promising hybrids
- Supply of quality seed and planting materials.
- Revitalization and characterization of coffee
germplasm.
THRUST AREAS
- Varietal improvement in coffee for:
- Resistance to leaf rust
- High productivity
- Superior Quality
- Wider adaptability
