Abstract
We studied the regional genetic diversity and seed exchange dynamics of pearl millet landraces in south-western Niger. The genetic study was based on AFLP markers. We found significant genetic differentiation between landraces in different geographical areas of south-western Niger. However, the degree of differentiation was low insofar as only 1.9% of the total molecular diversity was due to regional differentiation, suggesting a relatively high gene flow. Anthropologic studies on farming practices have suggested that seed exchanges between farmers on a large geographical scale probably make a considerable contribution to this result. In order to test this hypothesis, the effects of seed exchange on the genetic diversity of landraces was analyzed on seed samples from two distant villages in contrasting areas of south-western Niger. Seeds imported by farmers into the southern village of Sina Koara did not differ significantly from locally grown landraces. By contrast, in the northern village of Alzou, several samples were genetically different from locally grown landraces and closer to southern accessions. These data suggest that the seed flow is preferentially from south to north, i.e. from an area with more favorable rainfall conditions. The potential consequences for the genetic diversity and adaptation of northern pearl millet landraces are discussed.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Bureau des Ressources Génétiques, the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, the University Pierre et Marie Curie and the Université Paris-Sud. We would like to thank all the farmers who made this study possible. We thank A. Luxereau, who made a major anthropological contribution to this work through her research work on the practices and knowledge of farmers and their strategies regarding seed supply.
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Clementine Allinne, Cédric Mariac and Yves Vigouroux contributed equally to the work.
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Allinne, C., Mariac, C., Vigouroux, Y. et al. Role of seed flow on the pattern and dynamics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) genetic diversity assessed by AFLP markers: a study in south-western Niger. Genetica 133, 167–178 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-007-9197-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-007-9197-7