Morphological and Biochemical Diversity of Emmer Wheat (Triticum Dicoccum (Schrank) Schub.) in Ethiopia
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Date
1993
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
MOIphological and isozyme diversity study of 55 emmer wheat (TriticuIII dicocculII
(Schrank) Schub.) populations and the associated ethnobotanical knowledge in Arsi and
Bale have been undertaken in this study. A total of 55 landrace populations (25-45 single
plant per population which is a total of 1885 entries) were considered for mOlphological
study. Protein content was determined for the 37 emmer wheat populations following the
standard procedure. The dl)' malter, ash, organic matter and Ca were done for 55 emmer
wheat population following the standard protocol. The isozyme variations in the three
enzyme systems: esterase (EST), acid phosphatase (ACP) and aspartate aminotransferase
(AA T) were investigated for 12 emmer wheat populations selected after clustering them on
mOlphological characters.
Mean, coefficient of variations, heritability, genetic advance, correlation coefficients cluster analysis, chi- square test, multidimensional scaling, and discriminant analysis were
done for each mOlphological character. Correspondence analysis and Shannon's diversity
index (H,) were used to estimate the morpholOgical variation. The coefficient of variation
was large for most traits in Shewa indicating more diversity in this region. This was
further confirmed by Shannon's diversity index where the mean diversity (H ') was the
highest in this region (0.78) followed by Harerghe and Gonder, the least diversity index
was shown by Tigray region. H' at population level ranged frOIll O(lIIonomOlphic) to 1
(poIYIIIOlphic) for sOllie traits. The overall mean diversity for Ethiopia was estimated to be
H' ~ 0.75. Farlllers in the study area assert/hat emmer wheat is mOlphologically uniform
and this was confirmed through field observation. This crop has important traits in disease
resistance, stress tolerance and traditional use values. Fanners in Arsi and Bale regions
have their own folklore, songs, and sayings on this particular crop to indicate its use value and problems related with its hulledness. Phenotypic polymO/phism was observed for the
three ellZymes. Relatively higher variation was observed for esterase ellZyme i>ystem and
no variation was detected for enzyme system aspartate amino transferase (AAT). Positive
(though not significant) correlation was observed between mOlphological diversity index
and mean heterozygosity based on isozyme data.
The Arsi and Bale area niakes an important in-situ conservation site for em/ner wheat
because of the specialty of the crop to the society.
Key words: Triticum dicoccum, emmer wheat diversity, morphological character, protein,
isozyme, ethnobotany
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Keywords
Triticum dicoccum, emmer wheat diversity, morphological character, protein, isozyme, ethnobotany