We assessed the interplay of artificial and natural selection in rice adaptation in low-input far... more We assessed the interplay of artificial and natural selection in rice adaptation in low-input farming systems in West Africa. Using 20 morphological traits and 176 molecular markers, 182 farmer varieties of rice (Oryza spp.) from 6 West African countries were characterized. Principal component analysis showed that the four botanical groups (Oryza sativa ssp. indica, O. sativa ssp. japonica, O. glaberrima, and interspecific farmer hybrids) exhibited different patterns of morphological diversity. Regarding O. glaberrima, morphological and molecular data were in greater conformity than for the other botanical groups. A clear difference in morphological features was observed between O. glaberrima rices from the Togo hills and those from the Upper Guinea Coast, and among O. glaberrima rices from the Upper Guinea Coast. For the other three groups such clear patterns were not observed. We argue that this is because genetic diversity is shaped by different environmental and socio-cultural selection pressures. For O. glaberrima, recent socio-cultural selection pressures seemed to restrict genetic diversity while this was not observed for the other botanical groups. We also show that O. glaberrima still plays an important role in the selection practices of farmers and resulting variety development pathways. This is particularly apparent in the case of interspecific farmer hybrids where a relationship was found between pericarp colour, panicle attitude and genetic diversity. Farmer varieties are the product of long and complex trajectories of selection governed by local human agency. In effect, rice varieties have emerged that are adapted to West African farming conditions through genotype × environment × society interactions. The diversity farmers maintain in their rice varieties is understood to be part of a risk-spreading strategy that also facilitates successful and often serendipitous variety innovations. We advocate, therefore, that farmers and farmer varieties should be more effectively involved in crop development.
This study offers evidence of the robustness of farmer rice varieties (Oryza glaberrima and O. sa... more This study offers evidence of the robustness of farmer rice varieties (Oryza glaberrima and O. sativa) in West Africa. Our experiments in five West African countries showed that farmer varieties were tolerant of sub-optimal conditions, but employed a range of strategies to cope with stress. Varieties belonging to the species Oryza glaberrima – solely the product of farmer agency – were the most successful in adapting to a range of adverse conditions. Some of the farmer selections from within the indica and japonica subspecies of O. sativa also performed well in a range of conditions, but other farmer selections from within these two subspecies were mainly limited to more specific niches. The results contradict the rather common belief that farmer varieties are only of local value. Farmer varieties should be considered by breeding programmes and used (alongside improved varieties) in dissemination projects for rural food security.
An anthropological critique of development: The …, 1993
... One such asset is omole, a local liquor distilled from palm wine ... In this case the drummer... more ... One such asset is omole, a local liquor distilled from palm wine ... In this case the drummers map out in beats the steps of the young men hoeing in the rice after it is broadcast, and a singer praises the swift and chides the tardy, much as the musicians for a dance cue, and comment ...
INTRODUCTION This essay explores ground common to ecology and politics.1 It addresses the questio... more INTRODUCTION This essay explores ground common to ecology and politics.1 It addresses the question to what extent and in what ways are ecological ideas political ideas. The discussion, divided into five man sections, endeavors to steer a course between the ...
... They fought among themselves. An army paymaster [Dabo] was ambushed by army units. There was ... more ... They fought among themselves. An army paymaster [Dabo] was ambushed by army units. There was jealousy [about money]. ... We pushed him into the bush and took his luggage. The leader of the Scout boys was called Hamad. He was an older boy. ...
This book is a critical examination of Kaplan's 'New Barbarism' thesis in relation... more This book is a critical examination of Kaplan's 'New Barbarism' thesis in relation to the war in Sierra Leone which began in March 1991, carried out by an ethnographic analysis. The essential propositions of the New Barbarism thesis as related to the anarchy which has spread ...
We assessed the interplay of artificial and natural selection in rice adaptation in low-input far... more We assessed the interplay of artificial and natural selection in rice adaptation in low-input farming systems in West Africa. Using 20 morphological traits and 176 molecular markers, 182 farmer varieties of rice (Oryza spp.) from 6 West African countries were characterized. Principal component analysis showed that the four botanical groups (Oryza sativa ssp. indica, O. sativa ssp. japonica, O. glaberrima, and interspecific farmer hybrids) exhibited different patterns of morphological diversity. Regarding O. glaberrima, morphological and molecular data were in greater conformity than for the other botanical groups. A clear difference in morphological features was observed between O. glaberrima rices from the Togo hills and those from the Upper Guinea Coast, and among O. glaberrima rices from the Upper Guinea Coast. For the other three groups such clear patterns were not observed. We argue that this is because genetic diversity is shaped by different environmental and socio-cultural selection pressures. For O. glaberrima, recent socio-cultural selection pressures seemed to restrict genetic diversity while this was not observed for the other botanical groups. We also show that O. glaberrima still plays an important role in the selection practices of farmers and resulting variety development pathways. This is particularly apparent in the case of interspecific farmer hybrids where a relationship was found between pericarp colour, panicle attitude and genetic diversity. Farmer varieties are the product of long and complex trajectories of selection governed by local human agency. In effect, rice varieties have emerged that are adapted to West African farming conditions through genotype × environment × society interactions. The diversity farmers maintain in their rice varieties is understood to be part of a risk-spreading strategy that also facilitates successful and often serendipitous variety innovations. We advocate, therefore, that farmers and farmer varieties should be more effectively involved in crop development.
This study offers evidence of the robustness of farmer rice varieties (Oryza glaberrima and O. sa... more This study offers evidence of the robustness of farmer rice varieties (Oryza glaberrima and O. sativa) in West Africa. Our experiments in five West African countries showed that farmer varieties were tolerant of sub-optimal conditions, but employed a range of strategies to cope with stress. Varieties belonging to the species Oryza glaberrima – solely the product of farmer agency – were the most successful in adapting to a range of adverse conditions. Some of the farmer selections from within the indica and japonica subspecies of O. sativa also performed well in a range of conditions, but other farmer selections from within these two subspecies were mainly limited to more specific niches. The results contradict the rather common belief that farmer varieties are only of local value. Farmer varieties should be considered by breeding programmes and used (alongside improved varieties) in dissemination projects for rural food security.
An anthropological critique of development: The …, 1993
... One such asset is omole, a local liquor distilled from palm wine ... In this case the drummer... more ... One such asset is omole, a local liquor distilled from palm wine ... In this case the drummers map out in beats the steps of the young men hoeing in the rice after it is broadcast, and a singer praises the swift and chides the tardy, much as the musicians for a dance cue, and comment ...
INTRODUCTION This essay explores ground common to ecology and politics.1 It addresses the questio... more INTRODUCTION This essay explores ground common to ecology and politics.1 It addresses the question to what extent and in what ways are ecological ideas political ideas. The discussion, divided into five man sections, endeavors to steer a course between the ...
... They fought among themselves. An army paymaster [Dabo] was ambushed by army units. There was ... more ... They fought among themselves. An army paymaster [Dabo] was ambushed by army units. There was jealousy [about money]. ... We pushed him into the bush and took his luggage. The leader of the Scout boys was called Hamad. He was an older boy. ...
This book is a critical examination of Kaplan's 'New Barbarism' thesis in relation... more This book is a critical examination of Kaplan's 'New Barbarism' thesis in relation to the war in Sierra Leone which began in March 1991, carried out by an ethnographic analysis. The essential propositions of the New Barbarism thesis as related to the anarchy which has spread ...
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