Developing strategies for the genetic conservation of crop wild relatives in North Africa

Lala, Sami (2018). Developing strategies for the genetic conservation of crop wild relatives in North Africa. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Agrobiodiversity are threatened due to habitat loss, land reclamation and fragmentation, spread of diseases and pests, genetic uniformity, genetic erosion, and other human activities. Crop wild relatives (CWR) are wild species that are more or less genetically related to crops that can be used to introgress useful genes for improvement of productivity, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and quality of cultivated crop. These valuable resources are threatened and untapped for crop improvements. Therefore, their conservation would be valuable and will contribute to maintaining and promoting the sustainability of crop diversity, facilitating agricultural production and supporting the increasing demand for food, feed and natural resources. This thesis tackle for the first time the diversity and conservation status of CWR in North Africa region. In order to achieve this goal, different methods, approaches and techniques were used. These are identifying CWR in the region (CWR checklist), prioritize the checklist, ex situ and in situ gap analyses, species distribution modelling, threat assessment using IUCN Red List categories, climate change assessment and molecular genetic analysis of wild barley (Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum (C. Koch) Thell. The outcomes will assist in lay the foundations for future ex situ and in situ conservation, and subsequent use.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):