On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, Ethiopia

On-farm genetic diversity is the relative distribution of plant species. This study was undertaken to assess the on-farm genetic diversity of wheat Landraces (Triticum aestivum spp) in Digalu and Tijo District. For this study, three farmer households' kebeles were selected by cluster sampling (area sampling) method because they are found in the most dominant wheat landraces growing agro ecological areas. Data for this study was collected using questionnaires, field observation, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. In total, 27 wheat landraces were reported to be grown two decades ago to the present day. Of these, only 9 wheat landraces are still cultivated by farmers. Among these, ‘Qamadi guracha’ is the most common growing landraces in the study area. The Shannon diversity index (H′) of growing wheat landraces ranges from 1.09 to 1.37 among the groups. The estimated genetic erosion for wheat landraces was found to be 66.7% due to the major factors: improved wheat varieties; the introduction of other more productive crops and wheat landraces low productivity. Food quality, Pests (for example, birds), disease resistance, market value, and straw quality were factors that initiated the farmers to maintain the genetic diversity of landraces on their farmlands. However, the preservation of wheat landraces is influenced by bottlenecks like the seed selection system, and insufficient crop yield. Regeneration of soil fertility, restoration of lost landraces, improvement of landraces, on-farm conservation by re-sowing, saving of seeds for the future, and ex-situ conservation are suggested for the restoration of wheat landraces diversity in Digalu and Tijo District.