On-Farm Diversity of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) in Sudan: A Potential Genetic Resources Conservation Strategy

Abstract

Abstract:Although the main goal of traditional farming is to produce food, it can play an important role in conservation of genetic resources. This paper reports a study, which explored the diversity of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars grown by farmers and their preferences for different cultivars. The possibilities of using farms as sites for conserving genetic resources are discussed. The data for the study were collected from personal interviews that involved randomly selected date palm farmers in the Northern State and River Nile State, Sudan. Ordered and binary logit models were used to account for possible factors influencing the diversity of cultivars grown by farmers and preferences for different cultivars, respectively. The results showed that the cultivars grown by the respondents vary widely. On average, the Northern State respondents grew twice the number of cultivars as those in the River Nile State. Of all the date palm cultivars, the Barakawi was the most preferred. The diversity of the cultivars grown by the respondents and their preferences were mainly influenced by factors, such as farm location, drought, uses of date palm, years of farming experience, education, income from date palm and household size. The findings will help in designing a more sustainable date palm breeding program, as well as a genetic resources conservation strategy. OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2013, 5 339

Development of a Resource Allocation Model Using Competitive Advantage

“…As already mentioned, the relative return considering rating value (RU ij ) is a proportional model involving the core competency. However, since it is difficult to compare RU ij and the U ij , we should make the sum of both returns (RU ij , U ij ) equal for a certain common assessment item (j) as shown in Equation (8), and the relative return considering rating value (RU ij ) can be obtained from Equation (9) using Equations (7) and (8). Consequently, the relative return considering rating value (RU i ) for an investee (i) can be represented by the sum of RU ij as shown in Equation (10).…”

“…Generally, the investment decision is made through the evaluation of several options bringing both return and risk. Therefore, investors use various methods when allocating resources, which can involve descriptive assessment; the score method, the Delphi method agreed upon by experts [1], the pair-wise method through comparisons between alternatives [2,3], the utility theory based on the preferences of investors [4], risk analysis [5,6], regression and correlation analysis [7,8], multi-task analysis [9], etc.…”

Biodiversity, Genetic Diversity, and Genetic Resources of Date Palm

“…Having different cultivars on the farm can help lower the risks of total crop failure in the case of natural disasters; farmers may have a greater incentive to grow many and diverse cultivars. Farmers may be willing to give up extra income or yield to obtain a more stable and environmentally adaptable date palm cultivar (Ezebilo et al 2013 ). Farmers who grow date palm for family consumption often have different tastes and are likely to grow different cultivars to meet their demand (Jaradat and Zaid 2004 ).…”

“…Therefore, the conservation, regeneration, distribution, and utilization of date palm genetic resources will be more urgent in the foreseeable future (Eljuhani 2010 ;Ezebilo et al 2013 ). Date palm wild and feral genotypes that are geographically and ecologically widespread can be assumed to be under less threat of genetic erosion than those localized or restricted to a specifi c habitat; the latter should be given priority in conservation (Francisco-Ortega et al 2000 ;Gaitto et al 2003 ;Shapcott et al 2009 ).…”

Validation of RAPD and ISSR Markers Used for Sex Determination in Date Palm Grown under Sudan Conditions

“…Additionally leaves and stems of date palm trees can be used as a shelter and animal foods [4]. In Sudan date palm mainly cultivated in Northern parts of Sudan for more than 3000 years with some existence in Kordofan and Darfur [5]. There are many varieties have been cultivated in Northern States including BARAKAWI ,GONDALLA, BIT TAMOUD, KULMA, ABDELRAHIM ,TUNISI JAW, MISHRIG/ WAD LAGGAI, WAD KHATEEB and MEDINA.…”