BRAZIL
Researchers at the University of Lavras in Brazil have developed a computational model to optimize coffee yield.
Their findings, published in the journal Crop Science, could reduce by half the time and cost of launching a new coffee variety, according to Indalécio Cunha Vieira Jr., the lead researcher on the project. Cunha’s detailed analysis of individual plants suggests many maintain stable production in both on- and off-years. Some trees produced high yields for two years before a low year.
His computer simulation was validated by actual results over eight harvests in Minas Gerais. He said residual variance was drastically reduced, resulting in a higher estimated heritability and expected gain from selection.
An exploration of the genetic makeup of these plants will help farmers to achieve more uniform yields.