Full Length Research Paper

Estimation of out-crossing rate in a natural breeding population of Warburgia ugandensis using AFLP marker

A. Muchugi¹*, G. M. Muluvi¹, A. J. Simons², F. N. Wachira³ and R. H. Jamnadass²

¹Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, PO. Box 43844 00100 Nairobi, Kenya.

²World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677 00100 Nairobi, Kenya.

³Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, PO Box 536 Egerton, Kenya.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: a.muchugi@cgiar.org. Tel: +254 733946793. Fax: +254 7224001.

Accepted 29 November, 2007

Warburgia ugandensis Sprague (Canellaceae) occurs in East and Central Africa, and the species is of great medicinal importance to the local communities where it occurs. As the wild populations diminish, planted stands will in future be used as the source of medicinal products as well as germplasm. This study investigated the levels of out-crossing rates to provide knowledge for proper planning in future cultivation programmes. The mating parameters estimated using the mixed mating model (software MLTR) showed the species to be predominantly out-crossing (89%) with significant levels of selfing. The multi-locus population out-crossing rate was higher than the single-locus population out-crossing rate (t_m- t_s= 0.023; SE = 0.010), implying that there was less likelihood of mating between relatives (bi-parental inbreeding). Low values were also obtained for the correlation of paternity, r_p(s) = 0.028 (SE = 0.040) and correlation of selfing among family, r_s = 0.016 (SE = 0.015). For most loci, allele frequencies of pollen and ovule contributions to the progeny genotypes were significantly different (P <0.05). These results indicate that with proper sampling, the populations being established for conservation, breeding and planting purposes will be able to sustain high genetic diversity found in the wild populations.

Key words: AFLP, mating system, warburgia ugandensis.