Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
2012
Journal or Book Title
International Journal of Plant Sciences
Volume
173
Issue
5
First Page
507
Last Page
515
DOI
10.1086/665266
Abstract
Crop wild relatives are important components of agroecosystems and have over the years been exploited in breeding programs as sources of genes for novel traits. Information on the extent and patterns of variability is important in formulating effective conservation and utilization strategies for existing crop wild relative populations. We conducted surveys and collections of wild and weedy accessions of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in Lambwe Valley in western Kenya in order to investigate occurrence, distribution, and morphological variability in the wild-weedy complex of S. bicolor under local agroecological conditions. We also attempted to understand the role, if any, of crop-to-wild gene flow in structuring variability within and among populations. The morphological data presented here showed wide variability within wild-weedy sorghum populations with respect to habitats and morphotypes. True wild sorghum populations in national parks and the sugarcane belt were clearly distinguishable from the putative hybrids or intermediate forms found in sorghum fields, in sorghum field margins, and, to some extent, by the roadside near sorghum fields. The existence of these intermediate forms is empirical evidence of introgression between cultivated sorghum and its wild-weedy relatives. Extensive introgression, especially within in situ conservation areas and/or in areas of high diversity, would lead to genetic erosion and possible depletion of these important wild sorghum genetic resources.
Access
Open
Copyright Owner
The University of Chicago
Copyright Date
2012
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Okeno, James A.; Mutegi, Evans; de Villiers, Santie; Wolt, Jeffrey D.; and Misra, Manjit K., "Morphological Variation in the Wild-Weedy Complex of Sorghum bicolor In Situ in Western Kenya: Preliminary Evidence of Crop-to-Wild Gene Flow?" (2012). Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications. 627.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/abe_eng_pubs/627
Included in
Agriculture Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons, Genetics Commons, Plant Breeding and Genetics Commons
Comments
This article is from International Journal of Plant Sciences 173 (2012): 507–515, doi:10.1086/665266. Posted with permission.