Coffee Berry Disease Pressure in Ethiopian Arabica Coffee Highlights the Need for High-Density Genetic Mapping and GWAS-Based Resistance Breeding
Published in Microbiology, Genetics & Genomics, and Plant Science
The findings from this study highlight a clear disconnect between the severity of Coffee Berry Disease in Ethiopia and the availability of genetically validated resistant cultivars. Although farmers possess extensive indigenous knowledge and have successfully identified CBD-tolerant genotypes in forest coffee populations, these selections remain largely uncharacterized at the molecular level. This gap limits their broader use in breeding programs and increases the risk of genetic erosion.
Integrating field-identified resistant genotypes into high-density genetic mapping and GWAS frameworks would allow resistance traits to be anchored to specific genomic regions in Arabica coffee. Such approaches can transform farmer-led selection into durable breeding outputs by identifying resistance loci and developing diagnostic SNP markers for marker-assisted selection. In the context of increasing CBD pressure driven by climate variability and microclimatic instability, genomics-informed breeding represents a critical next step for safeguarding Ethiopia’s unique Arabica coffee genetic resources and strengthening long-term disease resilience.
I am Gerema Amente, a plant biotechnologist with over 12 years of research experience in sustainable agriculture and crop improvement. I hold a BSc in Applied Biotechnology from the University of Gondar and an MSc in Plant Biotechnology from Addis Ababa University. I am currently a PhD student in Plant Biotechnology at Addis Ababa University.
My PhD research, titled “Towards an Effective Strategy Utilizing Resistance Genes to Mitigate the Impact of Coffee Berry Disease,” focuses on integrating field phenotyping, pathogen characterization, and molecular approaches to enhance genetic resistance in coffee.
Research Interests
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Plant improvement through plant tissue culture technology, including micropropagation and controlled cellular-level manipulation
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Genetic marker–based evaluation, conservation, and utilization of crop genetic resources
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Detection and assessment of molecular genetic variation in crops and native plant species
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Genomics-assisted genetic improvement of food security crops in the Ethiopian agricultural system (yield, quality, pest and disease resistance, drought and salinity tolerance)
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Crop improvement using transgenic approaches and targeted genome editing technologies
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Application of advanced genetic engineering tools to enhance agronomic traits and nutritional quality of major crops
My research aims to translate advanced plant biotechnology and genomics into practical, sustainable solutions for crop productivity and resilience.
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