THIRTEEN ASIA & PACIFIC COUNTRIES USE HYBRID DE TIMOR (HDT) AS WORLD COFFEE CLONES

This book comprehensively examines the role of Híbrido de Timor (HDT) as one of the most important coffee germplasm resources in the history of modern Arabica coffee breeding. Beginning with a discussion of coffee dynamics in the global context, the globalization of coffee, and the history of the discovery of HDT as a world coffee clone, the book explores the genetic and agronomic characteristics of HDT, which originated from a natural cross between Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. The major advantage of HDT, particularly its resistance to coffee leaf rust, is discussed as a fundamental basis for the development of various derived varieties, including Catimor, Sarchimor, Tim-Tim, Lempira, Ateng, Selection 9, and Cauvery. The book also positions HDT within the global coffee breeding system and traces the role of international research institutions, including CIFC Portugal, in the dissemination and development of HDT across different regions.

The book highlights the diffusion and adaptation of HDT throughout the Asian and Pacific regions, including Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, China—particularly Yunnan—Laos, Papua New Guinea, Japan, and other countries that have contributed to the development of HDT-based coffee. Each country is examined in terms of the history of HDT introduction, the derived varieties utilized, the support provided by research institutions, its impact on productivity and exports, the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, as well as challenges related to coffee quality and sustainability.

In its final section, the book presents a comparative overview of 13 HDT-using countries, while also examining future challenges such as climate change, germplasm conservation, market perceptions of coffee quality, and the potential of HDT as a strategic genetic resource for developing a more sustainable global coffee industry.