Collection of Coffea abeokutae Cramer and Coffea liberica Bull in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Between April 1997 and February 1998 an expedition was undertaken by staff members of Coffee Programme (CRIN) in eleven selected areas in the South Western part of Nigeria to collect Coffea abeokutae Cramer and C. liberica Bull endangered by genetic erosion.  Three accessions of C. abeokutae and six accessions of C. liberica were collected in Ikereku-Akinyele, Oyo State and Iyamoye, Kogi State.  C. abeokutae was distinguished by its conical shape, usually one, erect primary branch, leaves lanceolate, shiny, leathery and green; while C. liberica was characterised by its large tree, big leaves and yellowish to reddish fruit colour.  C. liberica was further classified into three types based on the position of primary branches, size of leaves and colour of ripenned fruit.  Plants of the two Coffea species were raised by berries and stem cuttings for ex-situ conservation in the institute's germplasm.  The efforts to collect and maintain other Coffea species threatened with extinction should be continued for an expanded coffee germplasm in CRIN.