Development of SSR markers and genetic diversity analysis in enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman), an orphan food security crop from Southern Ethiopia

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman; Musaceae) is a multipurpose drought-tolerant food security crop with high conservation and improvement concern in Ethiopia, where it supplements the human calorie requirements of around 20 million people. The crop also has an enormous potential in other regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is known only as a wild plant. Despite its potential, genetic and genomic studies supporting breeding programs and conservation efforts are very limited. Molecular methods would substantially improve current conventional approaches. Here we report the development of the first set of SSR markers from enset, their cross-transferability to Musa spp., and their application in genetic diversity, relationship and structure assessments in wild and cultivated enset germplasm

Variation in tuber proximate composition, sugars, fatty acids and amino acids of eight Oromo dinich (Plectranthus edulis) landraces experimentally grown in Ethiopia

Plectranthus edulis is one of the underutilized tubers indigenous to Ethiopia grown for its edible tuber. However, data on their variation on proximate, sugar, amino acids and fatty acids composition is largely unknown. Therefore, eight landrace, grown under identical conditions, were characterized. Considerable variation in the composition of the various landraces was observed. In general, the dry matter content of the tubers was lower compared to other edible tubers making the Oromo potato as it called locally, less suitable for frying and roasting. Also their higher reducing sugar (3.67-7.26% on dry matter basis) content compared to potatoes; restrict their application for frying purposes. Tubers were generally rich in minerals (4.47-7.03% on dry matter basis) and arginine content (up to 4.68% on dry matter basis). Remarkably, the extracted lipids contained typically 50% fatty acids, suggesting the presence of essential oils as well. The observed variation in nutrients composition exhibited the tuber's promising potentials in human nutrition, food supplement and genetic engineering

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) landrace database

<p>The establishment of a comprehensive landrace database for Enset holds paramount importance in advancing the field of Enset breeding and ensuring food security in regions where it is a staple crop. Landraces represent the rich genetic diversity of Enset, encompassing a multitude of locally adapted varieties. Such a database serves as a repository of invaluable genetic information, enabling breeders to access a diverse array of traits, including disease resistance, drought tolerance, and agronomic adaptability. This genetic treasure trove allows for the development of Enset cultivars tailored to specific environmental conditions and socio-economic needs. Moreover, it aids in the preservation of traditional knowledge and practices surrounding Enset cultivation, which is deeply intertwined with the cultural heritage of many communities. In essence, a landrace database for Enset not only bolsters breeding efforts but also safeguards the genetic legacy of this vital crop and empowers local farmers with resilient and productive varieties, ultimately contributing to enhanced food security and sustainable agriculture.</p><p>For this purpose, an initial landraces database has been meticulously curated through an extensive process that includes literature searches and expert interviews. This database represents the first crucial step towards harnessing the vast genetic diversity of Enset landraces for breeding and research purposes. As part of our ongoing efforts, a comprehensive analysis of these landraces, their traits, and their geographical distributions is currently underway. The findings and insights derived from this analysis will be presented in a forthcoming manuscript, contributing to the growing body of knowledge surrounding Enset landraces and their pivotal role in shaping the future of Enset breeding and food security.</p&gt

Study on characters associations and path coefficient analysis for quantitative traits of amaranth genotypes from Ethiopia

Abstract Selection based on yield alone may not be effective for yield improvement in plant breeding programs. Thus, in order to progress the genetic gains during selection, yield should be considered along with potential yield contributing traits. The objective of this study was to improve the genotype of amaranth and increase the effectiveness of selection in the program by identifying the correlation and path coefficients between yield and its relevant attributes. On 120 genotypes of amaranth planted during two growing seasons in 2020 and 2021, the study was carried out using an alpha lattice design with two replications. The results revealed significant positive phenotypic and genotypic associations on leaf yield, with leaf area, leaf breadth, branch number, leaf number, plant height at flowering, and grain yield all having positive direct effects. Similar strong positive phenotypic and genotypic relationships were found for grain yield and grain sink filling rates. Using path coefficient analysis, the direct and indirect effects of yield-related traits on yield were also determined. In addition to having a strong direct impact on grain output, the grain sink filling rates showed both phenotypic and genotypic evidence of substantial positive relationships with grain yield. It was further suggested that leaf yield in amaranth genotypes may increase through the indirect selection of plant height at maturity, leaf length, and terminal inflorescence lateral length, which showed such significant indirect influences, mostly through leaf area, days to maturity, and days to emergence, which displayed such strong indirect effects, primarily through plant height at flowering. This study consequently shows the need for traits with significant positive indirect impacts via leaf area to be considered indirect selection criteria for improving leaf yield in amaranth genotypes. The grain sink filling rate also significantly improved grain yield indirectly at both the phenotypic and genotypic levels, mainly via days to flowering and leaf yield. This demonstrated that selection that mainly targeted days to flowering, leaf yield, and grain sink filling rate would ultimately boost the grain yield in amaranth genotypes

Evaluation of 20 enset (Ensete ventricosum) landraces for response to Xanthomonas vasicola pv. Musacearum infection

Xanthomonas wilt, caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum (Xvm), formerly X. campestris pv. musacearum, is the most threatening and economically important disease of enset (Ensete ventricosum), the multipurpose food security crop orphan in south and southwestern Ethiopia. Xvm has also had a major impact on banana and plantain production in east Africa following its detection in Uganda in 2001 and subsequent spread. The only current effective control of this disease relies on integrated disease management strategies including minimizing field pathogen inoculum and deployment of wilt-resistant enset landraces. Identifying landraces with stable and durable Xvm resistance will greatly accelerate breeding programmes. While previous reports have identified landraces with varying degrees of tolerance to Xvm, no systematic study has collectively assessed their relative resistance. Here we undertook a detailed “common garden” analysis of 20 enset landraces previously reported to exhibit lower susceptibility to Xvm using an aggressive Xvm inoculum isolated from a disease hotspot area. Detailed longitudinal and survival analyses were applied to each landrace, using a combination of area-under-disease progress stairs, disease index and apparent infection rate to capture disease metrics as well as disease progression symptoms. Considerable variation was observed among the 20 landraces; however, none exhibited full immunity to Xvm infection. Landraces Haella, Mazia and Lemat showed the lowest susceptibility to Xvm as evidenced by reduced disease units and higher survival rates compared to the susceptible control landrace Arkiya, which exhibited the highest infection level and lowest survival rate, consistent with a high degree of susceptibility to Xvm. Thus, we have in this controlled experiment identified new material suitable for incorporation into future breeding programmes to develop Xvm-resistant enset varieties

Reshaping the future of ethnobiology research after the COVID-19 pandemic

A geographically diverse group of 29 ethnobiologists addresses three common themes in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis: impact on local communities, future interactions between researchers and communities, and new (or renewed) conceptual and/or applied research priorities for ethnobiology.Fil: Vandebroek, Ina. New York Botanical Garden; Estados UnidosFil: Pieroni, Andrea. University of Gastronomic Sciences; ItaliaFil: Stepp, John Richard. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Hanazaki, Natalia. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Alves, Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega. Universidade Estadual da Paraíba; BrasilFil: Picking, David. The University of the West Indies; JamaicaFil: Delgoda, Rupika. The University of the West Indies; JamaicaFil: Maroyi, Alfred. University of Fort Hare; SudáfricaFil: van Andel, Tinde. Naturalis Biodiversity Center; Países BajosFil: Quave, Cassandra L.. University of Emory; Estados UnidosFil: Paniagua Zambrana, Narel Y.. Herbario Nacionál de Bolivia; Bolivia. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés; BoliviaFil: Bussmann, Rainer W.. Ilia State University; Estados UnidosFil: Odonne, Guillaume. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Laboratoire Ecologie, Evolution, Interactions des Systèmes Amazoniens; FranciaFil: Abbasi, Arshad Mehmood. COMSATS University Islamabad; PakistánFil: Albuquerque, Ulysses Paulino. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Baker, Janelle. Athabasca University; CanadáFil: Kutz, Susan. University of Calgary; CanadáFil: Timsina, Shrabya. University of Yale. Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies; Estados UnidosFil: Shigeta, Masayoshi. Kyoto University; JapónFil: Oliveira, Tacyana Pereira Ribeiro. Universidade Estadual da Paraíba; BrasilFil: Hurrell, Julio Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Laboratorio de Etnobotánica y Botánica Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Arenas, Patricia Marta. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Laboratorio de Etnobotánica y Botánica Aplicada; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Puentes, Jeremías Pedro. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Laboratorio de Etnobotánica y Botánica Aplicada; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Hugé, Jean. Open University of the Netherlands; Países BajosFil: Yeşil, Yeter. Istanbul University; TurquíaFil: Pierre, Laurent Jean. Saint Lucia Archaeological and Historical Society; Santa LucíaFil: Olango, Temesgen Magule. Hawassa University; EtiopíaFil: Dahdouh Guebas, Farid. Free University of Brussels; Bélgic