Brazil's Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) has released two new guarana varieties that promise high productivity and resistance to fungal disease anthracnose.

The BRS Saterê e BRS Marabitana cultivars come after 10 years of development in the Amazonas state.

The two varieties are intended for commercial production, in part due to their high yield. The varieties produce between 400-600kg (881-1,322lbs) per hectare, about five times greater than current production rates.

Researcher Firmino Filho said adoption of these varieties could help the Amazonas state reclaim the top position as Brazil's main guarana producer. The current top producer is Bahia where the plants do not suffer from the same diseases.

These two new varieties will provide resistance against the Colletotrichum guaranicola fungus, a main cause of anthracnose and production decline. Embrapa phytopathologist José Clério Rezende said the varieties can suffer attacks that affect up to 25% of their canopy covers and still produce fruit.

Testing was undertaken in the Maués municipality where fungal infections are a significant problem. Here the varieties also showed resistance to other significant pests and diseases.

In 2011, Embrapa released four other guarana varieties: BRS Cereçaporanga, BRS Mundurucânia, BRS Luzéia and BRS Andirá.

Researcher André Atroch said the development of new varieties is a strategy to prevent anthracnose by providing a genetic barrier to disease.

Atroch said guarana demand is rising for products such as cosmetics, energy drinks, extracts and pharmaceuticals.

Photo: Felipe Rosa

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