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Coffee
(Taylor & Francis, 2005) Gathaara, M. P. H.; Njoroge, J. M.; Agwanda, C. O.; Kingori, P. N.; Karanja, A. M.
Information on the agronomy, trade, and future outlook of coffee is presented. Other subjects include: (1) historical background; (2) genetic resources; (3) breeding and selection; (4) breeding programmes; (5) field management; (6) diseases; (7) pests; (8) effects of consumer needs on adaptation; and (9) research and development organizations. The genus Coffea consists of more than 80 species. Coffea arabica is a native of Central Africa (Congo and Zaire). Coffea canephora (Robusta coffee) was introduced to India from Indonesia and Sri Lanka in the late 19th century when C. arabica started showing severe incidence of leaf rust. Coffea congensis, which has a compact bush habit and seeds of better quality, was introduced in India in the 1930s. At present, the Central Coffee Research Institute in Karnataka, India, has a collection of 18 species that belong to Coffea and the closely related genus Psilanthus. With an annual turnover of US$ 10 billion, coffee is the second most traded commodity after petroleum. Currently, world prices are under pressure by large quantities of poor quality coffees from countries such as Vietnam.