ENHANCING THE EXISTING COFFEE GENETIC RESOURCES IN NIGERIA THROUGH IN VITRO CULTURE CONSERVATION.

This study aimed at enhancing and conserving existing coffee genetic resources in Nigeria through in vitro culture. In Nigeria there is an urgent need for proper maintenance of coffee genetic materials. This will pave way for sustainable improvement, safeguard against second collection of germplasm and loss of genetic resources. Establishment of easy, efficient and reliable in vitro library becomes paramount to complement field genebank which is the only form of conservation in Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria. Callus tissues were generated from coffee leaf explant of C. canephora Pierre clone (C90). A DKW basal medium designed for culturing cocoa flower were used with three different hormonal combinations. Callus induction on the leaf was observed within 7days of culturing in the combination of Benzylamino Purine (0.5mg/ml) and Indole Acetic Acid (1mg/ml) and full callus development was reached at 14days. This callus was maintained in the second combination consisting of IAA (2mg/L) + Thidiazuron (25ug/L) for as long as 28days before changing to gray. The third combination, 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2mg/L) + BAP (1mg/L) + caseine hydrolysate (200mg/L) + coconut water (100ml/L) has the ability to convert gray callus to embryogenic or friable yellow callus which can be developed to plant prior converting to embryo in embryo development medium. This research has disclosed a proper and sustainable tissue culturing procedure of maintaining coffee germplasm and mass propagation of improved coffee variety for farmers.