Santa Ram

Sarchimor is the name given to the hybrid derived from the cross of Villa Sarchi (a semi-dwarf mutant of Bourbon coffee) and Hibrido de Timor (HDT, a spontaneous hybrid of Arabica and Robusta coffee). This hybrid was created by the Centro Investigacao das Ferrugens do Cafeeiro (CIFC, also known as CRRC or Coffee Rusts Research Centre), Oieras, Portugal and was distributed to many coffee growing countries in early 1970s. Sarchimor was introduced in to the gene bank of Central Coffee Research Institute during the year 1975. A few of the original plants (S.3822) of this hybrid are still available in our gene bank. Yield records of this accession indicate that it has good yield potential (- 620 kg clean coffee/ha estimated from 16 plants). Subsequently, progeny rows were raised from these original plants during 1981. Of these seven families, S.4202 remained largely resistant to leaf rust until now. Besides, these plants are also reasonably productive with mean yield of 1280 kg clean coffee per hectare (mean of 15 years). All the resistant plants in this family were self-pollinated during 1999 to rise the next generation (F,). These families manifest a high degree of rust resistance with very few plants showing mild incidence of the disease (< 2%). All the plants show good vegetative vigour and well balanced reproductive features. Sarchirnor is exploited for commercial production in Brazil under the names TUPI and IAPAR59 since early 1990s.

Parents - Villa Sarchi and Hibrido de Timor

Villa Sarchi (VS), the @& parent is a mutant derived from the Bourbon coffee cultivars. This was first reported from Costa Rica. This mutant manifests a semi-dwarf phenotype that is somewhat similar to Caturra (Ct). Detailed studies on the inheritance of this gene indicated that this is a Mendelian dominant factor. It is also reported that this gene interacts with other mutant genes Caturra (Ct), San Ranion (SR), Villa Lobos (VL) and Sao Bernardo (SB) in a typical duplicate dominant epistemic order of gene action; i.e. the presence of one copy of the gene or two expresses the same short stature phenotype. The Bourbon cultivar of Arabica coffee is known for its quality. However, it is also highly susceptible to the dreaded leaf rust disease. Thus, Villa Sarchi derived from Bourbon is also highly susceptible to this disease in the field. To improve its resistance, crosses were made with Hibrido de Timor that is known to manifest the highest resistance to leaf rust at CIFC. The resulting progenies are the current day Sarchimor (Villa Sarchi x HDT).

Hibrido de Timor (HDT), the B& parent was reported to be a natural hybrid of C.arabica and C.canephora that was spotted in an Arabica coffee field on Timor Island in 1917. Two genotypes of this hybrid, CIFC-832/1 and CIFC-832/ 2 were extensively used in the breeding programmes led by Centro Investigacao das Ferrugens do Cafeeiro, Portugal. Between them, these two genotypes were shown to be carrying four rust resistance genes. These resistance genes were reported to have been derived from C. canephora. Thus, they manifest a high degree of resistance to the leaf rust disease and their resistance is classified as A-type; i.e. they are resistant to all the known races of the rust fungus. HDT produces segregates manifesting a spectrum of resistance reactions. These segregates are susceptible to a few races of the rust but manifest resistance to many races, especially the prevalent ones. This genotype and its progenies continued to maintain their resistance to rust disease in the coffee fields of India ever-since its introduction in 1960. HDT is also known to be a good general combiner, giving rise to heterotic progenies up on crossing with a variety of Arabica genotypes. On account of this, HDT is extensively used in the Arabica coffee breeding programmes all over the World. HDT is the most promising single source of resistance to leaf rust (Hernileia i'asratrix), CBD (Colletotrichuu kaliawae),fungal wilt (Fusarium oxysporum), bacterial wilt (Psuedomonas svringae) and also the root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita and M. exigua). HDT is considered to be poor in beverage quality on account of its putative evolutionary parentage. However, cup-tasting results available at CCRI indicate that this hybrid produces beverage of FAQ+ quality.

Sarchimor - Performance

Sarchimor plants are very similar to Catimor in appearance. However, two distinguishing features are that these are somewhat larger bushes and possess broader leaves than Catimor. Another distinction of Sarchimor is that the clusters are loose. This allows for full growth of berries that results in a greater frequency of A-grade beans as observed in our plots (65 - 80%) as well as in private estates (68% in Vanandurai vial Estate, Pulneys).

Tip-leaf colour in Sarchimor is generally light green. A small frequency (- 2%) of segregates with bronze tip leaves was observed in our high-density plots. Very few of these plants are poor in growth and yield and susceptible to leaf rust. The weight and density of 100 A-grade beans of Sarchimor are 18.47g and I.0lg/cm3 respectively, rendering the visual quality of Sarchimor coffee superior. Beverage quality of Sarchimor is also observed to be FAQ to FAQ+.

After several years of constant observation, small trial plots of Sarchimor were established at CCRI, RCRS, Thandigudi and CRSS, Chettalli. In these plots Sarchimor was observed to be yielding an average crop of 500-700 kg clean coffee per acre. This is expected to increase in the succeeding years. Sarchimor was given for trials to some growers in the early 1990s after observing the yields of F2 progenies. Case studies of performance were carried out in five of these estates where the plants attained an age of 8-12 years. Dr. Pradeep of Sri Nandi Estate (Cheekanahalli) says that he supplies Sarchimor plant in the place of others removed due to borer attack. Presently, a large part of several plots in his estate are converted to Sarchimor because of this. Mr. I.J.J. Rebello of Doddenagudda Estate planted this material in three acres of land in 1995 and expressed that this material is likely to be very good for future. Mr. Medappa, Manager of Merthi-Subbanagudige Estate maintains a large plot of Sarchimor on high density planting (3.25 x 3.25 ft i.e. 4000 plants/acre) and says that its performance is very good.

Starting from 1999-2000 also Sarchimor seed was given to several other progressive growers for trial in the plater's field. In these estates also, first yield was realized and the growers expressed the opinion that this is a promising material for future. Mr. Sivasubramanian of Kalasa Estate (Chikmagalur zone) and the Manager of Greenfield Estate (North Coorg zone) in Karnataka and Mr. Shekar Nagarajan (Thadiankudisai and Pillavali Estates, Pulney zone), Mr. Mohana Sundaram (Pen.nkanal Estate, Pulney zone) and Mr.Ravichandran of Vanandurai-vial Estate (Thandigudi, Pulney zone) also expressed a similar opinion. Growers estimate a minimum yield of 500 kg clean coffee/acre from this material. With good care, the estimations are in the range of 8001000 kg/acre. Yields recorded in different estates are given in Table 1.

A word of caution about the yield performance of this material is in order here. Sarchimor is a semidwarf similar to Catimor/Cauvery and is best exploited under intensive cultivation. Its lateral growth is restricted on account of genetically imposed limitation by the gene `VS' (Villa Sarchi). Like San Ramon and Catimor, Sarchimor also produces flowers and fruits from the same nodes up to 6 or 7 years until all the buds in the axils of leaves are exhausted. After this period of time, there is a likely tendency to decline. Thus, these plants should be rejuvenated at this point of time by collar pruning and allowing new suckers. In Sarchimor, good spontaneous secondary growth is observed. This can be exploited with good skill. As such, this dwarf can be exploited to full advantage in single tier only. Planters can think of a higher level of topping (like 5ft.) to realize higher yields. Fertility of Sarchimor

Ovular fertility of coffee materials slated for commercial exploitation is very important on account of its direct implication on crop yield. This is generally elucidated by taking count of the normal beans produced in a random sample of the population. The fertility of Sarchimor is found to be over 80% in the F, and F3 generations that are being exploited for production, reflecting the validity of the selected mother plants of F, generation as source of seed. These are increased by grafting for seed multiplication. At present a population of about 150 seed-bearing mother plants are available for seed production. Fingerprinting facility being installed in the Division is expected to help in identifying additional mother plants that enhances the seed production capacity within a year of time. Grades and Quality in Sarchimor

High frequency of A-grade beans ranging from 60 to 82% was observed in the produce of this variety (Table-I). Beverage quality was also assessed to be FAQ+.

Rust Resistance of Sarchimor.

The original Sarchimor plants are still standing resistant to rust disease. Constant observations on F, generation indicated that I % of the plants only fell susceptible to the rust disease over the past 20 years in this generation. In the F3 generation and high density plot developed from this generation also the incidence of rust was almost nil. The only disease control operation applied on both these plots is pre- and post-monsoon spray of 0.5% neutral Bordeaux mixture. Other diseases are also not noticed on these plants.

An important caution to the growers is that Sarchimor is a hybrid genotype of Arabica and tends to segregate into different types of plants with reference to the plant type as well as with reference to its manifested resistance to different biotic adversaries like rust pathogen and stem borer. Thus, it is very important to plant seed of superior quality that can be produced only with appropriate control of pollination at the time of blossom. CCRI and Regional Research Stations of Coffee Board produce the seed with these controls.

Summary of Details of Evaluation of Sarchimor

Average yield: 500 - 700 kg/acre
Out-turn: Fruit to Clean coffee - -20%
Weight of 100 A-grade beans: 18.47 g Percent A-grade beans: 65.00 - 70.00
Percent Triage: 8.32
Percent Empty locules: 4.20
Cup quality: FAQ - FAQ+
Rust incidence: 1 ob in self-seed derived plots:
Borer incidence < 1% in self-seed derived plots

Agrotechniques

A survey of the locations and cultivation practices applied to Sarchimor revealed that the variety is performing well at elevations above 2700ft from mean sea level.

Sarchimor is a high yielding variety that thrives and performs well under intensive cultivation. As such, to realize a minimum yield of about 500-600 kg clean coffee per acre and to maintain the health of the plants, it is recommended that a fertilizer dose of 120:90:120 kg of NPK/ha be applied per annum in three splits. A compensatory increase of fertilizer application is needed for higher crops realized, as recommended for other varieties of coffee.

Its observed resistance to leaf rust is very high at present. However, a race of the rust fungus that could infect Sarchimor was recently isolated. The virulence genotype of this race is V,V5,V6, V7,V8, V9.

The race is designated as race XXXVIII. Its spread is very limited on account of the fitness penalty due to the presence of many virulence genes. This restriction is expected to last very long if the genotype of Sarchimor is protected from segregation. However, prophylactic pre- and post-monsoon spray of Bordeaux mixture (0.5%) is recommended to maintain the health of the plants.

The pruning practices for Sarchimor are the same as applied to other dwarf varieties of coffee. The vegetative growth pattern of Sarchimor conforms to the pattern that is observed in many other coffee varieties with two flush cycles, post-blossom showers and post-monsoon. The desuckering, handling and pruning operations should be carried out keeping the dwarf habit in mind. Sarchimor produces excellent secondary branching that can be exploited to advantage with appropriate skill. Cyclic rejuvenation of the plants after initial 6-7 yields at every 7year interval may prove advantageous. The advantages of cyclic rejuvenation lie in invigoration and juvenility of the newly emerging suckers that can be exploited to full benefit.

Insect resistance is not reported in Arabica coffee. Sarchimor is an Arabica hybrid derived by crossing Villa Sarchi, a mutant of Bourbon variety with Hibrido de Timor, a spontaneous interspecific hybrid of Arabica and Robusta. At present, the incidence of white stem borer on Sarchimor is very low. However, this cannot be construed as resistance and hence protecting, these plants against insect attacks is essential.

On account of the various good features of Sarchimor as enumerated in the foregoing account and its consistent performance this material can be considered for official release in India in the current year with an appropriate name.