According to a post published by Ticotimes.net in August 23 edition, two new types of rust were found in samples collected in Coto Brus, near the border with Panama.
ICAFE (Costa Rican Coffee Institute), conducted the sampling, and the Rust Research Center of Portugal did the analysis confirming that these two types are different to the one registered in Central America. The research will confirm if chemicals used are being effective in combating the “orange rust” disease.
Coffee producing countries have been severely affected by this fungus that develops in the leaves of malnourished plants where humid conditions favors it, spreading rapidly with the wind, rain drops or travels from one place to another through human’s clothe while working in the plantations.
World production estimates for 2013-2014 reach 15% decrease, specially from Central America where the disease has agressively attacked. International Coffee Organization states that “current epidemic of coffee leaf rust affecting all countries of the region with a 53% incidence is the worst seen since this pest appeared in Central America in 1976”.
Meanwhile, countries like Vietnam, through their Agriculture and Forestry Science and Technical Institute, have developed “21 new coffee varieties that are disease resistant and have high yields”, 11 Robusta and 10 Arabica variations states VietnamNews in its on-line edition of August 24th.
Although the genetic components of the new varieties are not described, all of them use the Timor initial letter naming them TR or TN accordingly. The other factor that is highlighted of these varieties is their potential for high yields. Their goal is to establish nurseries which will produce 4 million grafted seeds a year.
Café Pasión 