Genetic structure and diversity of coffee (Coffea) across Africa and the Indian Ocean islands revealed using microsatellites.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The coffee genus (Coffea) comprises 124 species, and is indigenous to the Old World Tropics. Due to its immense economic importance, Coffea has been the focus of numerous genetic diversity studies, but despite this effort it remains insufficiently studied. In this study the genetic diversity and genetic structure of Coffea across Africa and the Indian Ocean islands is investigated.

Methods

Genetic data were produced using 13 polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeats, SSRs), including seven expressed sequence tag-SSRs, and the data were analysed using model- and non-model-based methods. The study includes a total of 728 individuals from 60 species.

Key results

Across Africa and the Indian Ocean islands Coffea comprises a cl

SUBMITTER: Razafinarivo NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3555535 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature