Vernacular Names and Genetics of Cultivated Coffee (Coffea arabica) in Yemen

Abstract

While Ethiopia and South Sudan are the native habitats for Coffea arabica, Yemen is considered an important domestication center for this coffee species as most Arabica coffee grown around the world can be traced back to Yemen. Furthermore, climatic conditions in Yemen are hot and extremely dry. As such, Yemeni coffee trees likely have genetic merits with respect to climate resilience. However, until recently, very little was known about the genetic landscape of Yemeni coffee. The Yemeni coffee sector identifies coffee trees according to numerous vernacular names such as Udaini, Tufahi or Dawairi. However, the geographical landscape of these names and their correlation with the genetic background of the coffee trees have never been explored. In this study, we investigated the geographic occurrence of vernacular names in 148 coffee farms across the main coffee areas of Yemen. Then, we used microsatellite markers to genotype 88 coffee trees whose vernacular name was ascertained by farmers. We find a clear geographical pattern for the use of vernacular coffee names. However, the vernacular names showed no significant association with genetics. Our results support the need for a robust description of different coffee types in Yemen based on their genetic background for the benefit of Yemeni farmers.

Diversity among Coffea arabica populations in southwestern Saudi Arabia as revealed by their morphometric features

“…The existence of considerable genetic diversity among local Arabica coffee populations was also confirmed by previous genetic studies on Saudi (Al-Ghamedi et al, 2023) and Yemeni (Montagnon et al, 2021;Montagnon et al, 2022b) cultivars. Montagnon et al (2021) and Eskes and Mukred (1990) reported that most Yemeni coffee cultivars arised from ancient "heirloom" populations of C. arabica first naturalized hundreds of years ago.…”

“…It is well known that the gene pool of C. arabica, a tetraploid species, is narrow (Anthony et al, 2001); therefore, wild diploid coffee species and underutilized ancient tetraploid cultivars could serve as a critical source of genes for coffee breeding programs (Lachermes et al, 2009;Davis et al, 2019). Recent studies by Montagnon et al (2021Montagnon et al ( , 2022aMontagnon et al ( , 2022b have shown that there is considerable genetic diversity among coffee populations in Yemen. Therefore, studying the diversity of coffee populations in the Arabian Peninsula could reveal agronomically interesting genotypes.…”

“…These coffees can potentially fetch high prices on the specialty coffee niche market if cultural practices and post-harvest processes were improved and the cultivars were well characterized and publicized (Kathurima et al, 2022). Unfortunately, these exotic genetic resources are under serious threat to be lost due to periodic droughts and the destruction of the terraces abandoned by their owners (Tounekti et al, 2017), thus the urgent need to characterize these genotypes and conserve them (Montagnon et al, 2022b). Tounekti et al (2019) carried out the first survey of the morphological diversity of Arabica coffee in Saudi Arabia using quantitative traits.…”

Identifying the origin of Yemeni green coffee beans using near infrared spectroscopy: a promising tool for traceability and sustainability

“…Specialty coffee samples (> 80 points in the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) scale) that were harvested in 2020 from Yemen (n = 124) were ethically sourced by Qima Coffee from smallholder coffee farmers in five regions of this country (Al Mahwit, Dhamar, Ibb, Sa'dah, and Sana'a) following the guidelines and regulations included in The Coffee Guide by the International Trade Centre and the International Coffee Organization ICC-102–9 Rules on Certificates of Origin. These samples were processed using the Natural post-harvest methods and included genetic varieties from the Typica Bourbon group (SL-28, SL-34, Kent) and the recently described New-Yemen group (Yemenia) 7 , 45 . In addition, specialty coffee samples from Africa, Asia, Central America, South America, and Oceania (n = 97) processed using Natural, Honey, and Washed post-harvest methods were acquired.…”

Identifying the Origin of Yemeni Green Coffee Beans Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy: A Promising Tool for Traceability and Sustainability

“…A total of 221 samples of whole green coffee beans of Coffea arabica, with veri ed geographical origin and farmer traceability data, were included in this study (Table 1). Specialty coffee samples (> 80 points in the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) scale) that were harvested in 2020 from Yemen (n = 124) were ethically sourced by Qima Coffee from smallholder coffee farmers in ve regions of this country; these samples were processed using the Natural post-harvest methods and included genetic varieties from the Typica Bourbon group (SL-28, SL-34, Kent) and the recently described New-Yemen group (Yemenia) 7,35 . In addition, specialty coffee samples from Africa, Asia, Central America, South America, and Oceania (n = 97) processed using Natural, Honey, and Washed post-harvest methods were acquired and included a range of genetic varieties such as Caturra, Catimor, Catuai, Geisha, Heirloom, Java, Pacamara, Pink Bourbon, SL varieties, and Tabi.…”