Luis Fernando Campuzano-Duque

Parts of Sections 1 and 5 in the original publication

Robusta coffee is mostly grown in Africa and Asia and parts of tropical America, but not yet in Colombia. The crop has potential in lowland areas of this traditional Arabica coffee producer. Compared to Arabicas grown in highland areas, the Robustas have more drought and heat tolerance. However, they differ in flavor and have higher caffeine levels. With natural resistance to some of the major pests and diseases of other coffees, such as rust and berry borers, they thrive under harsh conditions. The genetic improvement of Robusta coffee requires the understanding of its genetic resources and a good breeding strategy. This review discusses the traits of interest and selection criteria for breeding and recommends methods of varietal development for Robusta in Colombia. Most of the traits of importance in breeding are quantitative and of low or intermediate heritability. Robusta is an outcrossing species and can suffer from inbreeding depression, so mass and recurrent selection are used, followed by the clonal propagation of best plants. Colombia has limited germplasm only from the Congolese group, so the SG1/Conilon and SG2 genotypes should be introduced with quarantine. Issues to address include the timing of flowering, asynchronous fruit maturation, chemical composition and sensory quality, as well as bean size. Variability for abiotic stress tolerance exists in Robusta genotypes and needs further study. New methods of breeding include hybrid development and recurrent selection. Having adapted varieties of Robusta coffee should promote production in Colombia, as it has in regions of Brazil, and would complement Arabica coffee for this traditional and major producer.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers have multiple applications in plant breeding of small grains. They are used for the selection of divergent parents, the identification of genetic variants and marker-assisted selection. However, the use of SNPs in varietal purity assessment is under-reported, especially for multi-line varieties from the public sector. In the case of variety evaluation, these genetic markers are tools for maintaining varietal distinctness, uniformity and stability needed for cultivar release of multi-line or pure-line varieties of inbred crops. The objective of this research was to evaluate the purity and relationships of one original (AV-25) and two multi-line sub-populations (AV25-T and AV25-S) of the inbreeding species, oats (Avena sativa L.). Both sub-populations could be useful as forages in the central highland region of Colombia (>2000 masl), such as in the departments of Boyacá and Cundinamarca, even though they were derived from an original composite mixture widely used in the mountainsides of the southern department of Nariño named Avena 25. Representative single plant selections (SPS) from the two sub-populations were grown together with SPS harvests from off-type plants (early and late) and plants from the original AV25 composite mixture, to determine their genetic similarity. Plants were genotyped by DNA extraction of a plateful of 96 individual plant samples and SNPs were detected for an Illumina Infinium 6K Chip assay. The data were used for the analysis of genetic structure and population relationships. The grouping observed based on the genetic data indicated that AV25-T and AV25-S were homogeneous populations and somewhat divergent in their genetic profile compared to the original AV25-C mix. In addition, to the two commercial, certified oat varieties (Cajicá and Cayuse) were different from these. The early and late selections were probable contaminants and could be discarded. We concluded that the use of SNP markers is an appropriate tool for ensuring genetic purity of oat varieties.

Robusta coffee (C. canephora) covers 36% of world coffee production and has strategic relevance as a beverage that it is produced by thousands of small-scale producers around the world. Although mainly grown in Africa and Asia as opposed to Latin America, this situation is changing. Colombia is recognized as a producer of high-quality Arabica (C. arabica L.) coffee, however we argue that Robusta represents a great economic opportunity for small scale producers, for the industrialization of new products and for emerging coffee chains. Therefore, the objective of this review is to outline the agronomic value of Robusta coffee as a “new crop” in Colombia. As background we compare the better-known Arabica to the Robusta coffees from a Latin American perspective. Robusta shows differences in geographical distribution, genetics, originating species, physiology and phenology. Robusta and Arabica also differ in their chemistry, sensory attributes, industrial use, segments of market and price. Despite the marked differences between the two coffees, the popularity and consumption of Robusta has been on the increase due to the expansion of markets in emerging economies and in developed markers for home espresso preparation where it is used in high quality coffee blends. Robusta is currently replacing areas of other coffees due to hotter temperatures to which it is adapted. Although Robusta is still new to Colombia, this species has potential adaptation in lowland areas considered “non-traditional” for Colombian coffee cultivation and as a valuable component of agro-ecological production systems. Robusta is a novel crop option for certain regions that is needed for the future of coffee in Latin America and for growth of coffee production and consumption in Colombia.

Introduction. The incorporation of 40 thousand hectares of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for the beer industry in Colombia, with a projected production of 80 thousand t yr-1 in the period 2016 to 2026, will allow to reduce imports by 60 %. However, meeting this goal requires high-yielding, high-quality barley varieties. Objective. To identify a barley variety with stable grain yield and higher than 2.6 t ha-1 associated with tolerance to tipping, lower severity to yellow rust on the leaf and ear, and physical quality of the grain for the brewing industry. Materials and methods. Between 2016 and 2017, an agronomic evaluation trial was carried out in the Colombian Andean region, in a randomized complete block design, with eight two-row barley varieties introduced to Colombia. The physiological maturity, tipping, severity to Puccinia striiformis f. sp hordei in the leaf and ear, grain yield, and hectoliter weight were determined. Results. The Madi and S5 varieties with grain yields of 2.89 and 2.61 t ha-1, respectively, were 24 and 16 % higher than Metcalfe and 19 and 11 % higher than Maltera 5. Both varieties showed broad phenotypic stability, tolerance to tipping, lower severity of leaf and ear rust, and a hectoliter weight suitable for the brewing industry. Conclusion. The production characteristics, phenotypic stability, and physical quality of the grain of Madi and S5 varieties make them commercial candidates for the brewing industry and for recommendation in the Cundiboyacense highlands of Colombia, after validation with a semi-commercial trial.

Introduction. The use of forage oat silage (Avena sativa L.) in dairy cattle in times of feed deficit, allows mitigating biomass losses due to drought in the Colombian high tropics. Objectives. 1) To determine the dry matter yield (DMY) of five forage oat genotypes and the phenotypic stability and the bromatological quality of their silage, and 2) to evaluate the inclusion of the AV25-T genotype silage in diets for dairy cattle. Materials and methods. In the Colombian high tropics two experiments were performed: 1) agronomic evaluation test (October 2017 and February 2018) in a randomized complete block design with five genotypes, eight locations, and four replicates; dry matter yield (DMY) and protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) contents in silage were determined, and 2) animal response study (January 2018) with the inclusion of the AV25-T genotype in diets, in a simple crossover design with two factors: animal (5) and diets (3); the diets were: D1: only meadow; D2: 35 % AV25-T silage + grazing, and D3: 65 % AV25-T silage + grazing. Milk yield, protein, fat, total solids, were determined in the milk, and weight change was determined in the animals. Results. AV25-T presented adaptation with the highest DMY. The inclusion of AV25-T silage in the animal diet showed a significant change in animal weight (0.1 and 0.25 kg with D2 and D3), milk yield (27.2 - 29.7 L/cow/day with D3 and D2), and the fat content (3.2 - 3.9 % with D3 and D2), without detriment in protein and total solids. Conclusion. The use of AV25-T forage oats in silage allowed increases in animal weight, milk yield, and fat content in Holstein dairy cows without affecting protein and total solids in milk.

Introduction. Jatropha curcas L. (JC) is a multipurpose species with biological, pharmacological, and industrial applications. Its oil is recognized by the dominant composition of oleic-linoleic fatty acids that make it suitable as biofuel in internal combustion engines, without making major changes to the engine design. Objective. To identify in the oil of five JC genotypes in Colombia the cetane, peroxide, iodine, the acidity value, the calorific value indixes and to verify if they comply with standards for biodiesel production. Materials and methods. An experiment was carried out in Espinal, Colombia, in a randomized complete block design with five treatments and three repetitions. The treatments consisted of five JC genotypes. The fruit from the fifth harvest in 2015 was used. Five fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, and stearic) and five chemical properties (cetane index, acidity, peroxide, iodine, and calorific value) were determined from the oil. Results. The oil from the five JC genotypes evaluated in Colombia presented a lipid profile with a predominance of monounsaturated (oleic C18: 1) and polyunsaturated (linoleic C18: 2) fatty acids. The JC genotypes evaluated in Colombia presented a low cetane, peroxide, and iodine indexes, low acidity, and high calorific value. Conclusions. The properties of cetane and iodine indexes, of the genotypes evaluated complied with the specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the European Norm for biofuel production, so they are classified as appropriate raw material for biofuel production.

Introduction. The evaluation and selection of new fodder species with appropriate production and quality attributes is a safe and effective strategy to improve the efficiency of milk production systems in Colombia. Objective. To describe the development process and the main characteristics of Altoandina, a new variety of fodder oats. Materials and methods. During the second half of 2016, an agronomic assessment test (PEA) was carried out in four locations in the Altiplano Cundiboyacense subregion and in four locations in the Altiplano of Nariño subregion, in a randomized complete block design, with two genotypes of fodder oats AV25-S and AV25-T and three varieties (Avenar, Cajica, Cayuse). Results. AV25-S and AV25-T showed: tolerance to overturn unlike the three controls that showed a overturn of more than 30%, resistance to leaf and stem rust, and green forage performance of 64.6 and 65.3 t ha-1, respectively, higher than that obtained in Avenar (55.5), Cajica (43.7) and Cayuse (59.1). Conclusion. AV25-T for its tolerance to overturning, resistance to leaf and stem rust and green fodder yield superior to commercial varieties, was registered in the national cultivar system as a new fodder variety called Altoandina, with recommendation for the Cundiboyacense Altiplano and Nariño Altiplano.

Conocer los requerimientos de ms en la finca es un indicador clave para la planeación forrajera y la mejora en la toma de decisiones. Por lo cual, la avena forrajera Altoandina, por su adaptación al trópico alto colombiano, se presenta como una alternativa eficiente para cubrir los requerimientos de alimento en épocas críticas de los sistemas de producción de leche en el trópico alto colombiano. Una dieta basada en un 35 % de silo de avena forrajera Altoandina para suplementación en épocas de escases de alimento permite mejorar la producción y rentabilidad de las fincas en la región (menor costo y mayor productividad por vaca).

Introduction. Jatropha curcas L., is a species with high oil content suitable for biofuel; however, due to its wild condition, the yield of fruit and oil is low; therefore, it warrants genetic improvement. Objective. To know the productive performance of J. curcas in three ecoregions of Colombia. Materials and methods. The work was carried out from 2012 to 2014. A randomized complete block design with fifteen genotypes in three ecoregions (dry Caribbean, Inter-Andean Valley and Orinoquia) was established. The AMMI model and its biplot graph were used to determine phenotypic stability of the fruit yield and with the oil yield the net benefit and the benefit-cost ratio were determined. Results. In two of the three ecoregions used; dry Caribbean and Inter-Andean Valley, J. curcas presented an accumulated fruit yield of 3.6 t ha-1 and 6.7 t ha-1, respectively; in the Orinoquia region the yield was less than 0.1 t ha-1. The cost of a liter of J. curcas oil was US$1.07 for Albania (dry Caribbean) and US$1.24 for Espinal (Inter-Andean Valley), higher than that of African palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) of US$0.89. Conclusion. The fifteen J. curcas genotypes used in this study showed the best productive performance in Albania (dry Caribbean) and Espinal (Inter-Andean Valley), and the CJC3 genotype was the one with the best fruits and oil production.