Pre-Breeding of Promising Coffea canephora Genotypes

This study evaluated the genetic diversity of 33 Coffea canephora genotypes through morphophysiological and molecular analyses, aiming to identify promising genotypes for pre-breeding purposes in the southern region of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Cutting-propagated seedlings were evaluated 120 days after planting, considering height, stem and crown diameter, number of leaves, fresh and dry shoot and root weight, chlorophyll content, and root characteristics. Molecular analysis was performed on 32 genotypes; one was excluded due to absent DNA, and 18 ISSR markers were used. Morphological data were analyzed by ANOVA, Scott–Knott’s mean test, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis. The results revealed significant diversity among genotypes. The first two principal components explained 75.5% of the total variability. Genotypes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 32, and 33 stood out as those that produced the most vigorous seedlings. Molecular analysis also revealed genetic diversity among genotypes, with the formation of 16 groups, while the morphophysiological analysis revealed four groups. The Mantel test demonstrated a small but significant positive difference (r = 0.228; p = 0.018) between the genetic and morphophysiological distances of the genotypes. This diversity indicates that the genotypes evaluated are promising for use in C. canephora breeding programs.