This open-access book provides a comprehensive overview of current methodologies for improving
resistance to leaf rust in coffee one of the world's most important cash crops and beverages.
Coffea arabica L. (Arabica) accounts for about 60% of the world's coffee production. Coffee
leaf rust (CLR) caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix is the major disease affecting Arabica
coffee resulting in losses of over $1 billion annually. The geographical distribution of CLR is
expanding due to climate change. Moreover the genetic improvement of Arabica coffee is
constrained due to its very narrow genetic base. This protocol book introduces essential
concepts of mutation breeding as an efficient tool to increase the genetic diversity of Arabica
coffee and presents practical methods on mutation induction and screening for resistance to
CLR. Current breeding approaches challenges and opportunities for Arabica coffee improvement
are briefly reviewed and a survey of common coffee diseases with emphasis on CLR is presented.
Practical protocols for mutation induction and screening for resistance to CLR are described
including novel methods for single-cell mutagenesis using in vitro cell and tissue culture
techniques and for genome-wide screening of induced mutations using genomics tools. Each
protocol chapter has an introduction and is supported by example results. Given the impact of
recent CLR epidemics on Arabica coffee production in Latin America the book is intended to
serve as a timely reference and guide for students and researchers in the agricultural sciences
plant pathologists and breeders as well as growers and end-users interested in producing novel
coffee genotypes for genetic studies breeding and commercial applications.
