Taxonomy_of_the_coffee_plant

Initially, Coffea arabica plantations were based on few individuals, namely the two classical varieties Typica
and Bourbon. This resulting poor genetic diversity is now a days generating a huge problem due to low
resilience against coffee diseases. Therefore many regions have stopped to grow those varieties as the effort
for maintaining the plantation is too large. Genetic diversity in Typica was intrinsically zero, while there was still
some diversity left in the Bourbon variety.
After Crossing Typica and Bourbon a new variety named Mondo Novo was created in Brazil in 1931, which
showed an increased productivity combined with tall growth. Therefore Mundo Novo could be grown efficiently
in the plain plantations of Brazil combined with mechanical harvesting.
At the same time a natural Bourbon mutant with dwarfism was discovered in 1935. This Caturra variety had
also higher productivity than Bourbon, but more importantly due to the smaller growth it could be planted at
much higher densities (6300 a/ha). Due to a lack in vigour Caturra was not introduced commercially in Brazil.
Subsequently, Caturra was crossed with Mundo Novo to produce Catuai, that exhibited high vigour combined
with high plant density, having the optimal combination for high productivity in intensive agriculture.
On the picture to the right, several other varieties and how they originated, taken from SCAA. Here it is also
important to notice that dwarfism is a single point mutation that has happened frequently, e.g. Bourbon pointu,
Pacas, Caturra and Villa Sarchi show the same mutation.
Those varieties on the picture will be explained in more detail on the next pages.
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