Abstract

Determination of genetic diversity and nutritional value is useful for varietal improvement. Fourteen sorghum accessions, six from Malawi (MW), four each from Tanzania (TZ) and Zambia (ZMB) considered most common and widely grown varieties in those countries were assessed for genetic diversity based on ten SSR loci and grain-Fe, Zn, total protein and starch contents. Sorghum accessions exhibited significant variation for protein, total starch content and grain-Zn (p<0.001) and grain-Fe (p<0.05). Grain-Fe content ranged from 2.8 to 6.3 mg/100g and grain-Zn content ranged 2.3 - 5.5 mg/100g. Grain protein content ranged from 9.7 to 16.3%. TZ4031 from Tanzania was superior in grain-Zn content while MW734 from Malawi was high in grain-Fe and protein contents. Zambian accessions were significantly higher in total starch content. Similarly, Tanzanian accessions were significantly superior in grain-Zn content. Protein content was significantly positive correlated with grain-Zn (r = 0.42). Significant and highly positive correlation (r = 0.49) was revealed between grain-Fe and Zn content. Nei’s gene diversity revealed higher genetic variation within Malawian accessions than in other accessions used in the study. The lowest within accessions genetic diversity was exhibited by Tanzanian accessions. Cluster and principal coordinate analyses revealed similarity between Malawian and Tanzanian accessions. The results suggest presence of genetic diversity for grain-Fe, Zn, protein and starch contents for food purposes and as resource for varietal improvement. MW734, TZ4031 and TZ3966 were identified as a potential resource material for grain-Fe and Zn variety enrichment programme. However, further research is recommended for evaluation of the compositional stability of potential sorghum accessions across various environmental conditions

Published in

Australian Journal Of Crop Science
2012, Volume: 6, pages: 54-64

SLU Authors

• Ng´uni, Dickson

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Zambia Agriculture Research Institute

• Dida, Mulatu Geleta

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Hofvander, Per

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Fatih, Moneim

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bryngelsson, Tomas

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre


UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/37416