Feyissa Tielye (PhD)Assefa Fassil (PhD)Melaku Getachew2018-06-292023-11-082018-06-292023-11-082011-11http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/5133Data from microsatellite markers have been extensively used for both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies through determining the level of genetic diversity of natural populations that can widen the gene pool of cultivated plants. Such conservation practices should also lie on understanding the between and within population genetic variation and partitioning populations on the basis of geographic origin. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the intraspecific diversity in Oryza longistaminata and how the variation is partitioned within and between different geographic regions of the eight Oryza longistaminata populations in Ethiopia using simple sequence repeat markers. The five microsatellite markers in 320 samples generated 64 allels that revealed the presence of large amount of genetic variability (Ho =0.225; He = 0.768; Na = 7.375; Ne = 6.565 and P = 0.744). The F-statistics detected by the microsatellite loci showed Fst = 0.064 and Fis = 0.743 and there was no population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genetic parameters estimated from this data indicated that there are high levels of genetic diversity in the populations of O. longistaminata studied and this diversity is higher within than between populations. Regional partitioning also revealed that most of this diversity is found between populations within regions than among regions. Among all the populations sampled, five populations (EG-4 and all Amhara populations) were identified as priorities for conservation strategies and thus, national collection and conservation strategies need to consider population and regional differences. Key words or phrases: genetic variability, microsatellites, Molecular markers, Oryza longistaminata, populations and simple sequence repeats.engenetic variabilitymicrosatellites,Molecular markersOryza longistaminatapopulations and simple sequence repeats.Thesis