Phenotypic Variation of Ethiopian Hexaploid Wheat Accessions

Abstract

Variable climatic factors, i.e. rainfall, relative humidity and temperatures across regions and altitudes resulted in a high genetic diversity in wheat species. The objective of the study was to evaluate the variation in  morphological traits of hexaploid wheat accessions across different regions and altitudes using frequency and Shannon-Weaver diversity index. Polymorphism was observed in all traits with the exception of glume  hairiness. More than 85% of the collections contained medium to large and plump seed types. Over all accessions diversity indices ranged from 0.03 for glume hairiness to 0.85 for beak length. Average regional diversity  indices for all traits ranged from 0.47 for Group II (accessions from Gojam and Gonder) to 0.57 for Group III (accessions from Shewa). Traits diversity in altitude ranged from 0.44 for altitudes > 2800 masl to 0.63 for altitudes . 2200 masl. Within regions and within altitudes diversity accounted for  89% and 93% of the total variation, respectively. Hence, emphasis should be given to have more samples within one and the same region and range of altitudes to capture more genetic diversity and use it as breeding  material for variety improvement programmes.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Phenotypic Diversity; Triticum aestivum