Tolerant to coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease. Found primarily in Kenya and Tanzania.

Appearance

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Stature
Tall
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Leaf Tip Color
Light Bronze
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Bean Size
Large

Agronomics

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Optimal Altitude
5°N to 5°S:
1000–1600m
5–15°N and 5–15°S:
700–1300m
>15°N and >15°S:
400–1000m
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Quality Potential at High Altitude
Good
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Yield Potential
High
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Coffee Leaf Rust
Tolerant
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Coffee Berry Disease (CBD)
Tolerant
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Nematodes
Susceptible
information Year of First Production Year Three
information Nutrition Requirement Medium
information Ripening of Fruit Unknown
information Cherry-to-Green-Bean Outturn High
information Planting Density 1000-2000 a/ha (using multiple-stem pruning)
Additional Agronomic Information

K7 is distinguished by its spreading habit on young laterals although older primaries tend to droop. It has characteristic medium to narrow leaves with young shoot-tips that are light bronze in color. It is suited for lower altitudes where coffee leaf rust is prevalent.

Genetics

information Lineage Selected from French Mission. Bourbon-like genetic background.
information Genetic Description Bourbon-Typica Group (Bourbon-related)
History

K7 is known for its tolerance to rust and coffee berry disease, and has been widely used in modern breeding programs in Kenya and Tanzania.

K7 was released in Kenya in 1936 after five generations of selection from the original population by Scott Agricultural Laboratories (for a history of Scott Labs see SL28. It is still widely planted in Kenya.

According to P. A. Jones, an agricultural officer at Kenya’s Coffee Research Station in the 1950s, K7 is one of two trees selected in 1936 by Mr. R. H. Walker from French Mission trees on his Legetet Estate in Muhorohi (for more on French Mission, see SL34. One of these selections, later named K7, was apparently immune to coffee leaf rust for several years (the variety is no longer resistant).

Recent genetic tests have confirmed that K7 is related to the Bourbon genetic group.

Availability

information Breeder Individual farmer selection: R.H. Walker in Kenya in 1936

Additional Images