COFFEE
The use of half-node stem cutting for propagating robusta coffee has
been developed.
- A socio-economically acceptable method of rehabilitating old coffee plantations with overgrown trees has been developed through coppicing at 30cm above ground level to rejuvenate the old plans.
- Management of plant geometry of coffee by de-capping to a height of 1.5 has been found to facilitate harvesting.
- Use of locally available and relatively cheaper Humic acid when applied at 8000ppm has been found to be as effective as 4000ppm of the imported and expensive Indole Butyric Acid in vegetatively produced rooted stem cuttings which come into bearing in 2 years as against 3-4 years by seedlings.
- The use of half-node stem cutting for propagating robusta coffee has been developed.
- Currently 64 varieties of Coffea arabica are kept in Germplasm on the Mambilla Plateau for genetic improvement.
- Mixed-cropping of compatible Quillou (e.g. C-96 &C-111) and java (e.g. T1049 & T93) varieties of robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) have been recommended for higher yield rather than mono-culture of each of these coffees.
- Four high yielding varieties: T.1996 selection, Fica flora (plot 7), TH-F1 33-4 (plot 53), T, 2308 Catura Rojo C818 (plot 54) and T, 992 Padang (plot 55) of Coffea arabica were identified and recommended to farmers for planting.
- In order to reduce bulk and cost incurred in transporting potted stem cuttings; open-rooted method of propagating and transporting stem cuttings of robusta coffee has been developed, yielding a set survival success of 98.0% against 80.0% recorded for production and transport costs of cutting with satisfactory nursery and field performance.
- Physical/chemical method of controlling insect pests, especially hand-picking and destruction of immature stages of pests/infested plant tissues, have been found to significantly reduce infestation of coffee by three economically important insect (Epicampoptera Leucoplema and Ephonodes Spp.) of coffee.
- Termite control on coffee was achieved by spraying the waste from cassava processed for “fufu” production.
- Organic manure made from Chromolaena odorata (siam weed), cow dung, grasses and maize stovers have been developed and recommended to be as effective as inorganic fertilizers, especially on the Mambilla plateau.
- A coffee marketing campaign strategy has yielded positive results. More farmers who had earlier abandoned their farms have now rejuvenated/rehabilitated the unproductive farms.
- The wet method of coffee processing has been found to enhance the quality and marketability of the coffee beans.
- Distribution of coffee seedlings, rooted cuttings and coffee berries for planting to major 13 coffee growing states of Nigeria through states' Ministry of Agriculture.
- GGE biplot, AMMI Wrick were applied to study relative stability among lowland coffee in CRIN germplasm.
- Genetic diversity study of Coffea canephora and C.arabica using GBS-SNP markers.
- Correlation studies using important traits towards improving coffee breeding.
- Genetic and metabolomics analysis of Coffea canephora conserved and cultivated in South West Nigeria.
- Identification of true identity of some selected C. canephora in Nigeria using molecular tools and international coffee collection is ongoing.
- Biological effect of gamma irradiation on vegetative propagation of coffee arabica L.
Dr K.A Oluyole
Assistant Director/ Coffee Programme Leader
