Out of Africa: the genomic footprints of Vietnamese Robusta coffee

PONE-D-24-58673

Dear Dr. Vi,

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Rodomiro Ortiz, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor's comments: As noted by one of the referees, it is a very well thought research with appropriate planning and work done. The materials are relevant for the study and the methods used adequate to address the research objectives. The analysis are sound and interesting results ensued as main research outputs. Furthermore, its reading was easy to follow. Hence, this manuscript is suitable for publication in the journal.

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: This is important, basic genomics work reporting the genomic characterization of economically important coffee germplasm. The paper is very well-written, the methods and interpretations are sound, and I find it acceptable for publication as is.

Reviewer #2: The manuscript entitled “Out of Africa: the genomic footprints of Vietnamese Robusta coffee” provides a genetic diversity study of 126 Robusta accessions from the Vietnam coffee germplasm collection together with reference samples from previously characterized diversity groups of Africa. The paper is well written, and the analyses provided are sound and well conducted. Resulting data are available for the scientific community and might contribute to further studies on Robusta genetic diversity worldwide. More importantly, climate change threatens coffee cultivation around the world and genomic contributions for more precise breeding strategies are urgently needed. In that sense, we recommend the publication of the submitted paper despite the fact that was a very descriptive work.

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Reviewer #1: Yes:  Melinda Yerka

Reviewer #2: No

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