Genetic diversity and differentiation of cultivated amochi (Arisaema schimperianum Schott) in Ethiopia as revealed by AFLP markers.
Amochi (Arisaema schimperianum Schott) is an off-season crop plant in southern Ethiopia, grown during the dry season on residual moisture, for its edible tubers. It has gained importance as a "security crop" especially during the years of moisture stress and food shortage. Amochi is irritating in contact to the skin. Removal of this effect is an important question for breeding. As the first step, however we attempt to establish base line information of its breeding system and genetic variability using AFLPs. The extent of genetic differentiation among 11 populations (96 individuals) of amochi sampled along altitudinal gradients that varied from 1700 to 3200 m a.s.l. was investigated. The populations were classified in to three altitudinal groups: lowland (1700 to 2200 m a.s.l.), central-highland (2201 to 2600 m a.s.l.) and highland (2601 to 3200 m a.s.l.). Polymorphic loci (167) scored from four primer pair combinations, were used for principal component analysis (PCA), and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Both PCA and unweighed pair group with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clearly differentiated populations into their respective altitude groups, with large genetic distances. AMOVA analysis revealed 70.5%, 16.7% and 12.8% variability between altitude groups, between populations and within populations respectively. Average diversity indices within populations were also low. Since the largest proportion of variation is located between altitude groups, rather than within populations, we suggest future studies on the chemical composition, low irritation, and other desirable traits should consider populations from different altitude ranges.
Gedebo
Andargachew
A
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, As, Norway. andargachew.gedebo@umb.no
Appelgren
Maigull
M
Bjørnstad
Asmund
A
Tsegaye
Admasu
A
D031057:Arisaema / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000378:metabolism; D005002:Ethiopia; D040961:Genetic Drift; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005843:Geography; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D025341:Principal Component Analysis
D018744:DNA, Plant; D005819:Genetic Markers