Evaluation of an advanced breeding population of arabica coffee

An advanced breeding population of Coffea arabica comprising 32 multiple cross families were preselected in the laboratory for resistance to coffee berry disease (CBD) and evaluated in the field for yield, quality and resistance to CBD and leaf rust. Three check cultivars (SL28, Ruiru 11 and Catimor) were included in the trial for comparison. The trial was planted in 1988 in a three-replicate completely randomized design with 8 seedlings per plot. Data were recorded over a period of five years on plot mean basis for cherry yield per tree, bean grade, liquor quality characters and field resistance to CBD and leaf rust. The test population performed as good as or better than the check varieties for most characters. The tail-statured population is true-to-type especially for characters under evaluation making its propagation easier than a hybrid variety.