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.

Introduction coffee breeding and challenges

Choice of materials for mutation induction in arabica coffee
Improved in-vitro establishment and germination of Coffea arabica seed
Induced mutagenesis in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) using chemical agents
Mutation induction using gamma irradiation and high frequency embryogenic callus from coffee (Coffea arabica)
Chemical mutagenesis of Coffea arabica mature seed using EMS
Physical mutagenesis of coffee seeds
In-vitro regeneration of Coffea arabica var. Venecia through somatic embryogenesis
Protocol on mutation induction in Coffea arabica using in vivo grafting and cuttings
Protocol on mutation induction in coffee using in vitro tissue cultures
Screening for resistance to coffee leaf rust
Protocol to send samples of coffee leaf rust to CIFC
Coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) inoculation and evaluation under laboratory conditions
Development of a PCR-Based Molecular Detection
Technique for the Early Diagnosisof Coffee Leaf
Rust Caused by Hemileia vastatrix
Protocols for chromosome preparations: molecular cytogenetics and studying genome organization in coffee.<p> </p>