Most of the world’s coffee consists of Arabica and Robusta varietals, but could a third, lesser-grown family of coffee species hold the key to bolstering the sector in the face of climate change?
A study published in Nature Plants has found coffee classified Liberica – which currently accounts for less than one per cent of the world’s coffee production – is actually three distinct species with different adaptations.
“The current consensus of taxonomic and systematic study is that C. Liberica is a single species, divided into two botanical varieties: var. Liberica and var. Dewevrei,” the study says.
When researchers conducted genetic sequencing and combined genomic data with morphological measurements and geographic distribution mapping, they found three separate species: C. Liberica (Liberica), C. Dewevrei (Excelsa), and C. Klaini.
All three species display a range of climate tolerances. Dewvrei is more drought-tolerant and can thrive in lower rainfall, while Liberica is hypothesised to be better adapted to higher seasonality in rain and longer dry seasons and low elevations.
The study authors say more research is needed on C. Klainai, but the three species may offer viable alternatives in regions where Arabica and Robusta may struggle.
“Importantly, Liberica and Excelsa hold substantial potential for developing coffee farming in areas that are unsuitable for Arabica or Robusta, particularly those at low elevations in hotter and wetter climates,” the authors write.
“They may also have potential as a replacement coffee crop in areas that are becoming climatically unsuitable for Arabica and Robusta.”
“Excelsa has been used to replace Robusta in some areas of Uganda, probably as a result of climate change.”
Liberica coffee is already prevalent in Uganda, South Sudan, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Pacific.
“The taxonomic delimitation and identification of C. Liberica continues to confound researchers and coffee value-chain stakeholders, with inconsistent and confusing use of scientific and vernacular names in published research, agriculture, and the media,” the authors write.
To view the full study click here.
