ISHS Acta Horticulturae 275: International Symposium on the Culture of Subtropical and Tropical Fruits and Crops
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR ROBUSTA COFFEE (COFFEA CANEPHORA) IN SOUTH AFRICA |
| Author: | B. Snijder |
| Abstract:
With a growing demand for Coffea canephora in South Africa and with the few successful plantings giving variable yields, a selection programme for improved plant material was started in 1986 at the Burgershall Research Station. Promising results have been obtained and this paper presents data for the first three seasons. Yields from 7 to 18 kg/tree have been achieved, compared with normal plantings which yield from 3 to 5 kg/tree. The main selection criteria used are the following: Yield (>7 kg/tree) ; precocity; fruit mass; fruit length; disease and pest tolerance. Other criteria will be discussed in this paper. Thusfar 124 trees have been selected as improved plants according to these selection criteria. The system of selection used in this project will enable identification of parents for a breeding programme, since outstanding characteristics for each selection are recorded. | |
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