Abstract
Emmer wheat [Triticum dicoccum (Schrank)] cultivation in Ethiopia has been reducing and the genetic diversity maintained in the germplasm collection needs to be determined. The objective of this study was to assess the level of genetic diversity among populations of Ethiopian emmer wheat using seed storage protein analysis. Seeds of 85 accessions representing seven administrative regions of Ethiopia were obtained from the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute and grown at Sinana Agricultural Research Center. Seed storage proteins were extracted from a single seed and separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Total genetic diversity, intra-population genetic diversity and inter-population genetic diversity were 0.33, 0.2903 and 0.0391, respectively. Low genetic differentiation (GST = 0.119) and high gene flow (Nm = 3.697) were observed among populations. The genetic distance (D) between populations ranged from 0.0424 to 0.1128. Cluster analysis revealed two main clusters and one outlier. The results provide important baseline for future germplasm conservation and improvement programs. Key words: Cluster analysis, emmer wheat, genetic distance, genetic diversity, seed storage protein.
Highlights
Emmer wheat [Triticum dicoccum (Schubler)] was first domesticated in the Near East (Charmet, 2011), which was followed by subsequent hybridization and introgression from wild emmer wheat (Triticum diccocoides) in southern Levant (Lebanon, Syria and Israel) (Özbek et al, 2011; Civáň et al, 2013; Fuller et al, 2011; Riehl et al, 2013)
SDS-PAGE of grain storage proteins was performed in order to investigate genetic diversity among different Ethiopian Emmer wheat landraces
A total of 33 seed storage proteins were resolved by SDS-PAGE with protein bands numbered 1, 10 and 32 in common for the accessions
Summary
Emmer wheat [Triticum dicoccum (Schubler)] was first domesticated in the Near East (Charmet, 2011), which was followed by subsequent hybridization and introgression from wild emmer wheat (Triticum diccocoides) in southern Levant (Lebanon, Syria and Israel) (Özbek et al, 2011; Civáň et al, 2013; Fuller et al, 2011; Riehl et al, 2013). Emmer wheat comprises about 7% of Ethiopia’s entire wheat production (BOSTID, 1996). The major production areas in Ethiopia include Bale, Arsi, Shewa, Harerge, Wollo, Gojam and Gondar. It is known by different vernacular names such as “Aja” (in Amharic), “Hayssa” or “Matajebo” (in Afaan Oromo) and “Arras” (in Tigrigna)
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