The present status of arabica coffee breeding in Indonesia :

Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) breeding in Indonesia has been conducted since the end of the 19th century. Yet, the development is quite slow and there is not much superior planting material obtained. To increase the productivity of arabica coffee planting, the breeding efforts should be intensified through a genetic evaluation and utilization program. So far, the inventory of arabica germplasm counts more than 100 genotypes. Leaf rust is the most important disease while parasitic nematode is the most potential pest to arabica coffee. Thus, a resistance breeding program is emphasized on finding varieties and clones tolerant or resistant to this disease and pest. High-yielding varieties or clones with good habitus are mainly developed to increase the productivity of arabica coffee plantations. The promising mother trees are propagated either by clones or seed depending on the genetic homogeneity. Presently, the coffee quality grading in Indonesia is based on the defect system. So the breeding program should also be directed to find varieties or clones having a low percentage of polyembryony seed and a uniform seed size