Genetic Diversity of Cultivated Gayo Arabica Coffee (Coffee arabica L.) Revealed via Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Marker and Their Morphological Characteristics

Abstract

Indonesia is known as the fourth biggest coffee producing countries in the world. There are over 124 species within the Coffea family, however, only arabica (C. arabica L.) and robusta (C. canephora) have played an immense economic role. The region of Aceh; especially the Gayo highlands [800- 2,200 m. above sea level (a.s.l.)] is known as the largest arabica coffee plantation across the nation, and an average production of 700 up to 800 kg ha-1, and produce almost 25% of the total arabica coffee at the national level. This is the first publication about the genetic diversity of coffee arabica (Coffea arabica L.) cultivated on the Gayo Highlands, although it was already existed almost two centuries. Based on history, the Dutch initially introduced coffee to Aceh in the early of 18th century. There were up to 52 accessions of coffee arabica and their genetic diversities were measured via their (i) morphological characteristics (n= 33 traits); (ii) their simplification bi-plot diagram via Principle Component Analyses (PCA); (iii) molecular variation via Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) marker (n= 8). Our result showed that high morphological diversities was existed, although, low to moderate genetic diversity was confirmed among those commercial accessions based on these parameters: the PCA biplot diagram, and dendrogram, Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) that showed a range of 0.00-0.84, and 0.157-0.610, respectively. By conducting genetic diversity study intended for local germplasm conservation, a sustainable coffee production in Middle Aceh, and their economic benefits could be still maintained for a long term.