title: Genetic Diversity of Namibian Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR. (Pearl Millet) Landraces Analyzed by SSR and Morphological Markers.
abstract: Current Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR. cultivars in Namibia have overall poor performance posing a threat to the nation's food security because this crop is staple for over 70% of the Namibian population. The crop suffers from undesirable production traits such as susceptibility to diseases, low yield, and prolonged reproductive cycle. This study aimed to understand the genetic diversity of the crop in Namibia by simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and morphology analysis. A total of 1441 genotypes were collected from the National Gene Bank representing all the Namibian landraces. A sample of 96 genotypes was further analyzed by SSR using Shannon-Wiener diversity index and revealed a value of 0.45 indicating low genetic diversity. Ordination using Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) on SSR data confirmed clusters generated by UPGMA for the 96 P. glaucum accessions. UPGMA phenograms of 29 morphological characterized genotypes were generated for SSR and morphology data and the two trees revealed 78% resemblance. Lodging susceptibility, tillering attitude, spike density, fodder yield potential, early vigour, and spike shape were the phenotypic characters upon which some clusters were based in both datasets. It is recommended that efforts should be made to widen the current gene pool in Namibia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Namibia, 340 Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia.
authors.forename: Billy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McBenedict
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Namibia, 340 Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia.
authors.forename: Percy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chimwamurombe
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Namibia, 340 Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia.
authors.forename: Ezekeil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kwembeya
authors.affiliation: Gobabeb Research and Training Centre, Namib Naukluft Park, Walvis Bay, Namibia.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maggs-Kölling
mesh_terms: D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D009276:Namibia; D031782:Pennisetum / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers