Morphological Variation in the Wild-Weedy Complex of Sorghum bicolor In Situ in Western Kenya: Preliminary Evidence of Crop-to-Wild Gene Flow?

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 exi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of plant sciences 2012-06, Vol.173 (5), p.507-515
Main Authors: Okeno, James A., Mutegi, Evans, de Villiers, Santie, Wolt, Jeffrey D., Misra, Manjit K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Conservation
Crops
Data processing
Gene flow
Genetic resources
Habitat
Habitats
Hybrids
Morphology
National parks
Plant breeding
Plant populations
Roadsides
Sorghum
Sorghum bicolor
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1058-5893
1537-5315
DOI:10.1086/665266