The project

Coffee leaf rust (CLR), caused by the biotrophic fungus Hemileia vastatrix (Hv), is the most important disease of Coffea arabica. The use of resistant varieties has been the most appropriate and sustainable strategy to control CLR, within which the decisive work pioneered by the Coffee Rusts Research Centre (CIFC/ISA/UL) since 1955 originated over 90% of the resistant varieties currently cultivated worldwide. The majority of those varieties, which have largely replaced the traditional susceptible cultivars, were derived from several introductions of a highly resistant natural hybrid between C. arabica and C. canephora (Timor Hybrid). Now, after 30 - 40 years of cultivation, the resistance of these varieties started to break down in many countries due to the appearance of new Hv races. On entering what  seems a new cycle in CLR resistance, the identification and characterization of new sources of resistance is

crucial to face also the emergent epidemic resurgence of this disease in Central America which is considered a natural disaster in the tropics.