Ardeshir B. Damania

Biodiversity in a germplasm collection of durum wheat

SummaryOver 7,600 durum wheat accessions belonging to 22 country gene pools were evaluated in Syria, during the seasons 1985–86 through 1987–88 under semi-arid Mediterranean climatic conditions. Data on seven agronomic traits are presented to assess the distinctiveness and the phenotypic diversity of these pools. Univariate statistical analysis revealed differences among materials of diverse origins for all traits. Mean phenotypic diversity within countries was highest in the germplasm from India, lowest in that from Bulgaria. In a canonical variate analysis, the first three canonical variables explained 77.7% of the total variance. A cluster analysis was performed to supplement the generated information by the canonical analysis. The multivariate analyses evidenced the distinctiveness of the Ethiopian germplasm. The gene pools from Syria and Jordan, closely resembling each other, appeared separate from all others. A certain peculiarity was also shown by the germplasms from Greece, Morocco and France, while the remaining countries clustered into four groups. The results of the present evaluation could provide useful information for breeding activities, germplasm collection, and establishment of ‘core’ collections. Evidence is presented that environment played a major role in creating the overall variation for the considered traits, although germplasm exchange seemed also an important factor.

Geographic variation in tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum spp. turgidum convar. durum) landraces from two provinces in Ethiopia

There is considerable wealth of genetical and morphological variation in tetraploid wheat collected from Ethiopia by past expeditions. Several authors have speculated on the reasons for this concentration of diversity so far removed from the centre of origin of wheats in West Asia. The present study reports results of evaluation carried out on material collected in the early 1970s from Ethiopia. The landraces from the two provinces Shewa and Tigray were found to be distinctly different. This divergence was attributed to the differences in environmental conditions between them. Wide differentiation among landraces within each province was also present. The Ethiopian farmers practice of growing composite cultivars in the field has resulted in bulk samples of Ethiopian landraces containing several agrotypes. The proportion of total variance due to differences among agrotypes within landraces was by far the greatest found in this study, followed in most cases by the variation among landrace populations within provinces which exceeded, in turn, the variation between province gene pools. The optimal strategy for further germplasm collections and implications for improvement and conservation in locally-based community gene banks are discussed.

Biodiversity in Agriculture: Domestication, Evolution, and Sustainability

List of contributors Foreword Bruce D. Smith Acknowledgments Introduction. The domestication of plants and animals: ten unanswered questions Paul Gepts, Robert Bettinger, Stephen Brush, Ardeshir Damania, Thomas Famula, Patrick McGuire and Calvin Qualset 1. The local origins of domestication Jared Diamond Part I. Early Steps in Agricultural Domestication: 2. Evolution of agro-ecosystems: biodiversity, origins and differential development David R. Harris 3. From foraging to farming in western and eastern Asia Ofer Bar-Yosef 4. Predomestic cultivation during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene in the Northern Levant George Willcox 5. New archaeobotanical information on plant domestication from macro-remains: tracking the evolution of domestication syndrome traits Dorian Q. Fuller 6. New archaeobotanical information on early cultivation and plant domestication involving microplant remains Dolores R. Piperno 7. How and why did agriculture spread? Peter Bellwood 8. California Indian proto-agriculture: its characterization and legacy M. Kat Anderson and Eric Wohlgemuth Part II. Domestication of Animals and Impacts on Humans: 9. Pathways to animal domestication Melinda A. Zeder 10. Genetics of animal domestication Leif Andersson 11. Genome-wide approaches for the study of dog domestication Bridgett M. vonHoldt, Melissa M. Gray and Robert K. Wayne 12. Malaria and rickets represent selective forces for the convergent evolution of adult lactase persistence Loren Cordain, Matthew S. Hickey and Kami Kim Part III. Issues in Plant Domestication: 13. The dynamics of rice domestication: a balance between gene flow and genetic isolation Susan R. McCouch, Michael J. Kovach, Megan Sweeney, Hui Jiang and Mande Semon 14. Domestication of lima beans: a new look at an old problem M. I. Chacon S., J. R. Motta-Aldana, M. L. Serrano S. and D. G. Debouck 15. Genetic characterization of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and yam (Dioscorea trifida L.) landraces in swidden agriculture systems in Brazil Elizabeth A. Veasey, Eduardo A. Bressan, Marcos V. B. M. Siqueira, Aline Borges, Jurema R. Queiroz-Silva, Kayo J. C. Pereira, Gustavo H. Recchia and Lin Chau Ming 16. Pigeonpea - from an orphan to a leader in food legumes C. L. Laxmipathi Gowda, K. B. Saxena, R. K. Srivastava, H. D. Upadhyaya and S. N. Silim Part IV. Traditional Management of Biodiversity: 17. Ecological approaches to crop domestication D. B. McKey, M. Elias, B. Pujol and A. Duputie 18. Agrobiodiversity shifts on three continents since Vavilov and Harlan: assessing causes, processes and implications for food security Gary Paul Nabhan, Ken Wilson, Ogonazar Aknazarov, Karim-Aly Kassam, Laurie Monti, David Cavagnaro, Shawn Kelly, Tai Johnson and Ferrell Sekacucu 19. Indigenous peoples conserving, managing, and creating biodiversity Jan Salick 20. Land architecture in the Maya lowlands: implications for sustainability B. L. Turner II and Deborah Lawrence 21. Agrobiodiversity and water resources in agricultural landscape evolution (Andean Valley irrigation, Bolivia, 1986 to 2008) Karl S. Zimmerer Part V. Uses of Biodiversity and New and Future Domestications: 22. Participatory domestication of indigenous fruit and nut trees: new crops for sustainable agriculture in developing countries Roger R. B. Leakey 23. The introduction and dispersal of Vitis vinifera into California: a case study of the interaction of man, plants, economics, and environment James Lapsley 24. Genetic resources of yeast and other micro-organisms Charles W. Bamforth 25. Biodiversity of native bees and crop pollination with emphasis on California Robbin W. Thorp 26. Aquaculture, the next wave of domestication Dennis Hedgecock 27. Genetic sustainability and biodiversity: challenges to the California dairy industry Juan F. Medrano Index.

Diversity and geographic distribution of stem solidness and environmental stress tolerance in a collection of durum wheat landraces from Turkey

Variation and geographic distribution of stem solidness and environmental stress tolerance were assessed under dryland conditions in a collection of 2420 durum wheat landrace morphotypes collected in 28 administrative provinces of Turkey. The former trait is known to confer resistance to wheat stem sawfly – a serious pest insect in West Asia and North Africa. Both characters were scored on a visual five-level scale. Score mean values and frequency distributions in the different provinces were significantly different for both traits according to analysis of variance and chi-square test, respectively. Two groups of provinces emerged with high frequency of solid-stemmed, and hollow-stemmed accessions, respectively. The former could be of interest in durum wheat breeding against the sawfly. The group of solid-stemmed province germplasms was collected at lower altitude than the other, being also different on average for higher temperatures and evapotranspiration, and shorter growing season at sites of origin. Overall frequency of morphotypes tolerant to stress conditions prevailing in the evaluation site was rather low (10%). This low frequency may be due to low adaptation of materials in this harsher environment than those of origin where rainfall is usually higher and temperatures markedly lower. Nonetheless, differences among provinces in frequency distribution of stress tolerant morphotypes were evidenced. The relatively more tolerant gene pools originated either along the western coast or in the southern part of the country, along the ‘Fertile Crescent’. The least tolerant province germplasms originated either in the North along the Black Sea or in the highlands of the eastern Anatolian Plateau. Germplasm from provinces Malatya and Izmir combined good levels of both stem solidness and stress tolerance.

Diversity and geographic distribution of adaptive traits in Triticum turgidum L. (durum group) wheat landraces from Turkey

SummaryA collection of 2,420 accessions derived from single-spike population samples of durum wheat landraces collected in 1984 from 172 sites in 28 provinces in Turkey was evaluated for nine adaptive traits at the ICARDA research station at Tel Hadya, near Aleppo, Syria. Differentiation of these accessions among provinces was found for number of days to heading, maturity, grain-filling days, as well as for plant height, peduncle length, number of spikelets per spike, spike length, awn length, and kernel weight. The first three canonical variables accounted for 90% of the total variance. Canonical analysis also revealed significant correlations to province mean temperatures, altitude, latitude, and length of the growing season, but not with total seasonal rainfall. Eight distinct groups of provinces were identified by cluster analysis. These clusters had both geographical orientation to eastern and western Turkey and to agroecological zonation for clusters having both eastern and western provinces. Accessions were found with high kernel weight, early heading and maturity, and awnless spikes which could be utilized in crop improvement programs targeted at either favorable or stressed environments.

Geographic variation for spike and grain characteristics in durum wheat germplasm adapted to dryland conditions

SummaryA set of 109 durum wheat accessions, selected from a world collection for their adaptation to dry environments, were further evaluated under moisture-limiting conditions. The entries were subdivided into 9 gene pools based on their country of origin. Data are presented to assess the phenotypic variation and distinctiveness of these pools for some spike and grain features. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among materials of diverse origin for all traits except protein content. Within-country variation was generally wide as regards spike length and 1000-kernel weight. The Ethiopian germplasm presented a remarkable variability and distinctiveness. Entries with interesting values for breeding purposes were detected in most country gene pools. In general, selection of germplasm adapted to harsh environments did not result in a loss of variability for the considered traits, with the possible exception of protein content. Ethiopian entries presented the highest number of significant pairwise character correlations. The two most important traits in a discriminant analysis by country of origin were spike density and 1000-kernel weight. Diversity among gene pools was further assessed by a canonical analysis. The first three canonical variables explained 90% of the total variance. The gene pools of Ethiopia, Greece, Egypt and Jordan appeared clearly distinct from the other germplasm subsets studied. Geographically distinct patterns emerging from this study could be the result of the combined effect of natural and human selection.

Sampling variation in genetic resources of seed crops : a review

SummaryThe first explorations for the collection of genetic resources of crop plants took place in areas designated as centers of origin. Later, important characters were found to be present in areas other than those indicated by Vavilov. Hence collection missions were extended to cover other areas in addition to the “centers of diversity” with different ecogeography and agromorphological features. Collecting activities were aimed not only at providing germplasm for immediate use in breeding but also at conserving genetic variation for future contingencies. The analysis of the collected material has revealed the complex nature, amount and distribution of genetic variation present in natural populations as well as in landraces, old varieties and primitive forms. The study of variation for characters from different regions indicated that it is possible to select certain characters for detecting variability in the populations and establishing the minimum number of genotypes to be sampled. A minimum number of 20–130 plants per sample, depending on the crop, is recommended in order to capture 95% of the total variation in the field. However, it has been emphasized that the number of different populations sampled rather than the sample size per population determines the overall efficiency of a collection. The findings reported allow better utilization of the collected material and formulation of optimal and cost-effective sampling strategies for the future.

Introduction: The Domestication of Plants and Animals: Ten Unanswered Questions

Some 15,000 to 10,000 years ago, humans started seeding and harvesting plants and maintaining animals in order to augment the food they obtained from wild-growing plants and hunting. These seemingly simple activities set in motion a long-term process that has led to the dominance of agriculture as we know it today. With the exception of a few remaining hunter–gatherer groups, agriculture has now become the most important source of food for most people. Agriculture is also a major source of feed for animals and of fiber. This transition from hunting–gathering to agriculture was without a doubt one of the most significant eras in the evolution of humans. It allowed food production on a more intensive and efficient scale than ever before, eventually leading to population increases, labor specialization (and especially a nonagricultural sector), the formation of villages, cities, and states, and the rise of more hierarchical societies and states (MacNeish 1991, Barker 2006).

Biodiversity in Agriculture: Uses of Biodiversity and New and Future Domestications

List of contributors Foreword Bruce D. Smith Acknowledgments Introduction. The domestication of plants and animals: ten unanswered questions Paul Gepts, Robert Bettinger, Stephen Brush, Ardeshir Damania, Thomas Famula, Patrick McGuire and Calvin Qualset 1. The local origins of domestication Jared Diamond Part I. Early Steps in Agricultural Domestication: 2. Evolution of agro-ecosystems: biodiversity, origins and differential development David R. Harris 3. From foraging to farming in western and eastern Asia Ofer Bar-Yosef 4. Predomestic cultivation during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene in the Northern Levant George Willcox 5. New archaeobotanical information on plant domestication from macro-remains: tracking the evolution of domestication syndrome traits Dorian Q. Fuller 6. New archaeobotanical information on early cultivation and plant domestication involving microplant remains Dolores R. Piperno 7. How and why did agriculture spread? Peter Bellwood 8. California Indian proto-agriculture: its characterization and legacy M. Kat Anderson and Eric Wohlgemuth Part II. Domestication of Animals and Impacts on Humans: 9. Pathways to animal domestication Melinda A. Zeder 10. Genetics of animal domestication Leif Andersson 11. Genome-wide approaches for the study of dog domestication Bridgett M. vonHoldt, Melissa M. Gray and Robert K. Wayne 12. Malaria and rickets represent selective forces for the convergent evolution of adult lactase persistence Loren Cordain, Matthew S. Hickey and Kami Kim Part III. Issues in Plant Domestication: 13. The dynamics of rice domestication: a balance between gene flow and genetic isolation Susan R. McCouch, Michael J. Kovach, Megan Sweeney, Hui Jiang and Mande Semon 14. Domestication of lima beans: a new look at an old problem M. I. Chacon S., J. R. Motta-Aldana, M. L. Serrano S. and D. G. Debouck 15. Genetic characterization of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and yam (Dioscorea trifida L.) landraces in swidden agriculture systems in Brazil Elizabeth A. Veasey, Eduardo A. Bressan, Marcos V. B. M. Siqueira, Aline Borges, Jurema R. Queiroz-Silva, Kayo J. C. Pereira, Gustavo H. Recchia and Lin Chau Ming 16. Pigeonpea - from an orphan to a leader in food legumes C. L. Laxmipathi Gowda, K. B. Saxena, R. K. Srivastava, H. D. Upadhyaya and S. N. Silim Part IV. Traditional Management of Biodiversity: 17. Ecological approaches to crop domestication D. B. McKey, M. Elias, B. Pujol and A. Duputie 18. Agrobiodiversity shifts on three continents since Vavilov and Harlan: assessing causes, processes and implications for food security Gary Paul Nabhan, Ken Wilson, Ogonazar Aknazarov, Karim-Aly Kassam, Laurie Monti, David Cavagnaro, Shawn Kelly, Tai Johnson and Ferrell Sekacucu 19. Indigenous peoples conserving, managing, and creating biodiversity Jan Salick 20. Land architecture in the Maya lowlands: implications for sustainability B. L. Turner II and Deborah Lawrence 21. Agrobiodiversity and water resources in agricultural landscape evolution (Andean Valley irrigation, Bolivia, 1986 to 2008) Karl S. Zimmerer Part V. Uses of Biodiversity and New and Future Domestications: 22. Participatory domestication of indigenous fruit and nut trees: new crops for sustainable agriculture in developing countries Roger R. B. Leakey 23. The introduction and dispersal of Vitis vinifera into California: a case study of the interaction of man, plants, economics, and environment James Lapsley 24. Genetic resources of yeast and other micro-organisms Charles W. Bamforth 25. Biodiversity of native bees and crop pollination with emphasis on California Robbin W. Thorp 26. Aquaculture, the next wave of domestication Dennis Hedgecock 27. Genetic sustainability and biodiversity: challenges to the California dairy industry Juan F. Medrano Index.

Biodiversity in Agriculture: Traditional Management of Biodiversity

List of contributors Foreword Bruce D. Smith Acknowledgments Introduction. The domestication of plants and animals: ten unanswered questions Paul Gepts, Robert Bettinger, Stephen Brush, Ardeshir Damania, Thomas Famula, Patrick McGuire and Calvin Qualset 1. The local origins of domestication Jared Diamond Part I. Early Steps in Agricultural Domestication: 2. Evolution of agro-ecosystems: biodiversity, origins and differential development David R. Harris 3. From foraging to farming in western and eastern Asia Ofer Bar-Yosef 4. Predomestic cultivation during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene in the Northern Levant George Willcox 5. New archaeobotanical information on plant domestication from macro-remains: tracking the evolution of domestication syndrome traits Dorian Q. Fuller 6. New archaeobotanical information on early cultivation and plant domestication involving microplant remains Dolores R. Piperno 7. How and why did agriculture spread? Peter Bellwood 8. California Indian proto-agriculture: its characterization and legacy M. Kat Anderson and Eric Wohlgemuth Part II. Domestication of Animals and Impacts on Humans: 9. Pathways to animal domestication Melinda A. Zeder 10. Genetics of animal domestication Leif Andersson 11. Genome-wide approaches for the study of dog domestication Bridgett M. vonHoldt, Melissa M. Gray and Robert K. Wayne 12. Malaria and rickets represent selective forces for the convergent evolution of adult lactase persistence Loren Cordain, Matthew S. Hickey and Kami Kim Part III. Issues in Plant Domestication: 13. The dynamics of rice domestication: a balance between gene flow and genetic isolation Susan R. McCouch, Michael J. Kovach, Megan Sweeney, Hui Jiang and Mande Semon 14. Domestication of lima beans: a new look at an old problem M. I. Chacon S., J. R. Motta-Aldana, M. L. Serrano S. and D. G. Debouck 15. Genetic characterization of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and yam (Dioscorea trifida L.) landraces in swidden agriculture systems in Brazil Elizabeth A. Veasey, Eduardo A. Bressan, Marcos V. B. M. Siqueira, Aline Borges, Jurema R. Queiroz-Silva, Kayo J. C. Pereira, Gustavo H. Recchia and Lin Chau Ming 16. Pigeonpea - from an orphan to a leader in food legumes C. L. Laxmipathi Gowda, K. B. Saxena, R. K. Srivastava, H. D. Upadhyaya and S. N. Silim Part IV. Traditional Management of Biodiversity: 17. Ecological approaches to crop domestication D. B. McKey, M. Elias, B. Pujol and A. Duputie 18. Agrobiodiversity shifts on three continents since Vavilov and Harlan: assessing causes, processes and implications for food security Gary Paul Nabhan, Ken Wilson, Ogonazar Aknazarov, Karim-Aly Kassam, Laurie Monti, David Cavagnaro, Shawn Kelly, Tai Johnson and Ferrell Sekacucu 19. Indigenous peoples conserving, managing, and creating biodiversity Jan Salick 20. Land architecture in the Maya lowlands: implications for sustainability B. L. Turner II and Deborah Lawrence 21. Agrobiodiversity and water resources in agricultural landscape evolution (Andean Valley irrigation, Bolivia, 1986 to 2008) Karl S. Zimmerer Part V. Uses of Biodiversity and New and Future Domestications: 22. Participatory domestication of indigenous fruit and nut trees: new crops for sustainable agriculture in developing countries Roger R. B. Leakey 23. The introduction and dispersal of Vitis vinifera into California: a case study of the interaction of man, plants, economics, and environment James Lapsley 24. Genetic resources of yeast and other micro-organisms Charles W. Bamforth 25. Biodiversity of native bees and crop pollination with emphasis on California Robbin W. Thorp 26. Aquaculture, the next wave of domestication Dennis Hedgecock 27. Genetic sustainability and biodiversity: challenges to the California dairy industry Juan F. Medrano Index.