On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, Ethiopia

On-farm genetic diversity is the relative distribution of plant species. This study was undertaken to assess the on-farm genetic diversity of wheat Landraces (Triticum aestivum spp) in Digalu and Tijo District. For this study, three farmer households' kebeles were selected by cluster sampling (...

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Main Authors: Fekadu Gelelcha, Fikadu Kumsa, Tolera Kuma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-01-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022040634
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author Fekadu Gelelcha
Fikadu Kumsa
Tolera Kuma
author_facet Fekadu Gelelcha
Fikadu Kumsa
Tolera Kuma
author_sort Fekadu Gelelcha
collection DOAJ
description On-farm genetic diversity is the relative distribution of plant species. This study was undertaken to assess the on-farm genetic diversity of wheat Landraces (Triticum aestivum spp) in Digalu and Tijo District. For this study, three farmer households' kebeles were selected by cluster sampling (area sampling) method because they are found in the most dominant wheat landraces growing agro ecological areas. Data for this study was collected using questionnaires, field observation, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. In total, 27 wheat landraces were reported to be grown two decades ago to the present day. Of these, only 9 wheat landraces are still cultivated by farmers. Among these, ‘Qamadi guracha’ is the most common growing landraces in the study area. The Shannon diversity index (H′) of growing wheat landraces ranges from 1.09 to 1.37 among the groups. The estimated genetic erosion for wheat landraces was found to be 66.7% due to the major factors: improved wheat varieties; the introduction of other more productive crops and wheat landraces low productivity. Food quality, Pests (for example, birds), disease resistance, market value, and straw quality were factors that initiated the farmers to maintain the genetic diversity of landraces on their farmlands. However, the preservation of wheat landraces is influenced by bottlenecks like the seed selection system, and insufficient crop yield. Regeneration of soil fertility, restoration of lost landraces, improvement of landraces, on-farm conservation by re-sowing, saving of seeds for the future, and ex-situ conservation are suggested for the restoration of wheat landraces diversity in Digalu and Tijo District.
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spelling doaj.art-dce27e49a75c4b36a7351267b9813c432023-02-03T04:59:01ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402023-01-0191e12775On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, EthiopiaFekadu Gelelcha0Fikadu Kumsa1Tolera Kuma2Sagure Secondary School, Oromia, EthiopiaAmbo University, Department of Biology, Oromia, EthiopiaAmbo University, Department of Biology, Oromia, Ethiopia; Corresponding author. Ambo University, College of Natural and computational sciences, Department of Biology, Ethiopia.On-farm genetic diversity is the relative distribution of plant species. This study was undertaken to assess the on-farm genetic diversity of wheat Landraces (Triticum aestivum spp) in Digalu and Tijo District. For this study, three farmer households' kebeles were selected by cluster sampling (area sampling) method because they are found in the most dominant wheat landraces growing agro ecological areas. Data for this study was collected using questionnaires, field observation, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. In total, 27 wheat landraces were reported to be grown two decades ago to the present day. Of these, only 9 wheat landraces are still cultivated by farmers. Among these, ‘Qamadi guracha’ is the most common growing landraces in the study area. The Shannon diversity index (H′) of growing wheat landraces ranges from 1.09 to 1.37 among the groups. The estimated genetic erosion for wheat landraces was found to be 66.7% due to the major factors: improved wheat varieties; the introduction of other more productive crops and wheat landraces low productivity. Food quality, Pests (for example, birds), disease resistance, market value, and straw quality were factors that initiated the farmers to maintain the genetic diversity of landraces on their farmlands. However, the preservation of wheat landraces is influenced by bottlenecks like the seed selection system, and insufficient crop yield. Regeneration of soil fertility, restoration of lost landraces, improvement of landraces, on-farm conservation by re-sowing, saving of seeds for the future, and ex-situ conservation are suggested for the restoration of wheat landraces diversity in Digalu and Tijo District.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022040634Digalu and TijoGenetic erosionWheat landracesShannon diversity indexTriticum aestivum spp.
spellingShingle Fekadu Gelelcha
Fikadu Kumsa
Tolera Kuma
On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, Ethiopia
Heliyon
Digalu and Tijo
Genetic erosion
Wheat landraces
Shannon diversity index
Triticum aestivum spp.
title On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, Ethiopia
title_full On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, Ethiopia
title_fullStr On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, Ethiopia
title_short On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, Ethiopia
title_sort on farm genetic diversity of wheat triticum aestivum spp in digalu tijo district arsi zone ethiopia
topic Digalu and Tijo
Genetic erosion
Wheat landraces
Shannon diversity index
Triticum aestivum spp.
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022040634
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