Researchers look at coffee genome to find key to climate-resilient coffee

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.

Exploring new varieties

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 help scientists understand how arabica has developed and the key to future coffee species.

Going bananas

The low genetic diversity of cultured arabica means it could be ‘completely decimated’ by pathogens, say researchers.

That’s the same story as the monoculture Cavendish banana: which accounts for 47% of global bananas but risks being wiped out by disease.​

The reference genome makes it easier to analyze different traits of coffee varieties to identify specific traits such as resilience to disease or drought. It can also help find qualities such as better yield, coffee cherry size and flavor or aroma characteristics.