Genetic diversity of sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor </i>(L) Moench) accessions from thirteen regions of Burkina Faso

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a staple food crop for West African countries in general and Burkina Faso in particular. It is mainly grown by small holder farmers for their livelihoods. They grow their landraces which is a mixture of more than two varieties. Unfortunately, the yields of farmer varieties are low compared to improved ones bred by sorghum breeders with the potential up to 3t/ha. The objective of the study was to identify the genetic diversity between improved varieties released by research institutions and farmer accessions at the molecular level. DNA sample were collected from hundred and twenty-three accessions collected from thirteen regions of Burkina Faso. DNA samples were successfully genotyped using a multiplexed complex of 28 microsatellites DNA markers for 110 genotypes. The sorghum genotypes comprised of Guinea, Caudatum and Guinea-Caudatum races. Farmer varieties were defined mainly in Guinea and Guinea-Caudatum races while the improved varieties were mainly Caudatum races. The inbreeding level FIS (the inbreeding level within a given population) for each group improved, farmer varieties varied between -1 <FIS>1. This shows the autogenous nature of sorghum varieties. Breeding schemes can therefore be designed for improvement of farmer preferred varieties.

Keywords: Sorghum Microsatellites, Guinea, Caudatum, Yield,  Landraces