Evaluating Lowland Coffee Genotypes Against Coffee Blotch Miner (<i>Leucoptera caffeina</i>) in Southwestern Ethiopia

Coffee is a vital crop in Ethiopia. The perennial and evergreen nature of the <i>Coffea arabica</i> favors attack by a number of insect pests. However, is lack of insights into the plant - pest interaction on Arabica coffee genotypes, which is important for the possibility of developing tolerant cultivar/s as management option. The aim of the current study was to investigate the reaction of coffee blotch miner <i>Leucoptera caffeina</i> against lowland coffee genotypes. Seven treatments were used in this experiment and arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. On three branches, we counted the total number of leaves, as well as the number of leaves damaged. Severity was estimated by following the infested leaf area per total leaf area based on the leaf midrib recorded during data collection. In regard to the aim the reaction of lowland coffee genotypes to the insect were significantly different in damage level. The percentage of infested leaves by coffee blotch miner varied strongly among the genotypes at Agaro with 6.80% to 42.42% of the leaves attacked in 2021/22, 18.61% to 73.54% in 2022/23. The maximum severity (22%) was recorded from I<sub>2</sub> coffee genotypes in 2023. The pests also showed remarkable differences in their seasonal dynamics. From evaluated lowland coffee genotypes 42.86% resulted greater than 30% severity and 57.14% grouped under same group (<20% severity). Based upon the results, various infestation levels was observed among the evaluated coffee genotypes at Agaro, this indicated the existence of genetic variation in response to the pest damage. Therefore, future research works should be focused on characterizing and identify biochemical and secondary metabolites of low infested coffee genotypes against coffee pests. As breeding strategies recognizing coffee genotypes that exhibit tolerant to coffee pest is crucial for ensuring sustainable coffee production amid the evolving challenges posed by pests and climate change.