Abstract

To determine the level and pattern of genetic variation in barley (Hordem vulgare L.) landraces from North Shewa zone, in the central highlands of Ethiopia, the genetic variability at seven nuclear microsatellite loci was examined. Analysis was carried out on a total of 106 landrace populations sampled in two growing seasons (Meher and Belg, the long and short rainy season, respectively), across three districts (Ankober, Mojanawadera and Tarmaber), and, within each district, all along an altitudinal gradient (from 1798 to 3324 m a.s.l).
Genetic variation has been ascribed to differences between altitudinal classes (F_ST = 0.10) more than between seasons or among districts (F_ST = 0.02). The most relevant outcome of the experiment is that altitude level largely overrides geographical distance as main cause of divergence among individual plants. Moreover, results also suggest that the patterns of clinal variation among districts and seasons are inconsistent with a simple model drift and dispersal (seed exchange). They suggested instead a role for historical patterns of colonization, or, alternatively, present-day selective forces acting on some of the SSR analysed.

I documenti depositati in UnissResearch sono protetti dalle leggi che regolano il diritto d'autore