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Seed Polymorphism and Domestication in the Lost Crop Chenopodium berlandieri

Williams, Daniel R
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1867-0307
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1547121898637505

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Environmental Studies (Voinovich).
Domesticated Chenopodium taxa are distinguished from their wild relatives on the basis of seed morphology including thin seed coats, truncate seed margins, and light-colored appearance. Wild chenopods produce polymorphic seeds with a range of seed coat thicknesses, colors, and margin shapes. Rather than assuming a homogeneous and smooth morphological transition gradient during domestication, the effects of seed polymorphism must be considered. To compare polymorphism of wild seeds to domesticated seeds, wild chenopod seeds were collected and separated into morphological types by color. From each plant, ratios of seed morphs were counted, morphological measurements were taken, and germination was tested under a range of stratification and germination conditions. The same measurements and tests were conducted on the seeds of domesticated chenopods. Those seeds with lighter colors and thinner seed coats, called red morphs, are morphologically similar to seeds of domesticated chenopods. Red morphs, like domesticated chenopods, also have lower dormancy and lower over-wintering viability than do black morphs. Differences in polymorphic heterogeneity among wild chenopods implies a model of domestication. Under conditions of high disturbance and spring planting, chenopods producing higher proportions of red morph seeds may have a selective advantage. The role of heterogeneity in the domestication of chenopodium can inform modern crop improvement programs. Additionally, the yield of experimental plots of wild chenopods compares favorably with quinoa and modern agricultural crops. Re-domestication of the lost Chenopodium domesticate has the potential to create a new high value agricultural crop for eastern North America.
Sabrina Curran, Dr. (Committee Chair)
Sarah Wyatt, Dr. (Committee Member)
Harvey Ballard, Dr. (Committee Member)
98 p.
Agriculture; Ancient Civilizations; Cultural Anthropology; Evolution and Development; Experiments; Plant Biology; Plant Sciences
Chenopodium; lost crops; domestication; eastern agriculture complex; redomestication; seed morphology; lambsquarters; quinoa; Chenopodium berlandieri; Chenopodium missouriense; seed polymorphism; bet-hedging; polymorphism;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Williams, D. R. (2019). Seed Polymorphism and Domestication in the Lost Crop Chenopodium berlandieri [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1547121898637505

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Williams, Daniel. Seed Polymorphism and Domestication in the Lost Crop Chenopodium berlandieri. 2019. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1547121898637505.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Williams, Daniel. "Seed Polymorphism and Domestication in the Lost Crop Chenopodium berlandieri." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1547121898637505

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1547121898637505
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.
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