Genetic assessment of <i>in vitro</i> propagated Coffea arabica plants using RAPD makers

To cultivate plants that accurately reflect the original variety, it is necessary to monitor the variation that occurs, to select plants with true-to-type characteristics and reduce variability. In this study, in vitro propagation of (Coffea arabica var. Catimor) plants was adopted to generate large number of disease-free coffee plants within a short period. Genetic variability among the tissue culture derived plants in compared to the mother plant was assessed at molecular level with RAPD markers. For the tissue culture experiment, the optimal sterilization was treatment with 15 % Clorox for 15 minutes, which resulted in an 80 % survival rate and a 26.7 % germination rate. The MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l of the growth regulator, 6-benzylaminopurine, was observed to produce the best growth. Screening of the tissue cultured plantlets and mother plants with seven selected RAPD primers revealed no significant genetic variation.