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Domestication, phylogeny and taxonomic delimitation in underutilized grain Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae) – a status review
Author(s) -
Das Saubhik
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
feddes repertorium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.24
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1522-239X
pISSN - 0014-8962
DOI - 10.1002/fedr.201200017
Subject(s) - amaranthaceae , biology , domestication , genus , amaranthus hybridus , amaranth , amaranthus cruentus , taxonomy (biology) , phylogenetic tree , botany , weed , ecology , agronomy , biochemistry , gene
Many neglected, underutilized species are extremely important for food production especially in Low Income Food Deficient Countries (LIFDCs). Grain amaranth is one of such crops originated and domesticated in different parts of American continent. Lack of knowledge on taxonomy and phylogenetic relationship with other related crops, analysis of the extent and distribution of genetic diversity together with work on local and traditional knowledge, are the main constrains for genetic improvement of neglected, underutilized and crop related wild species. The phylogenetic relationship and taxonomic delimitation in genus Amaranthus are still not resolved with extreme clarity. But classification of the genus Amaranthus into three subgenera viz., Acnida , Amaranthus and Albersia , based on morphological parameters is quite acceptable. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clear separation of vegetable and grain amaranths. The derivation of grain and vegetable amaranths represent two lines of descent from weed progenitor. Amaranthus hybridus L. along with grain amaranths supposed to have formed a complex in which taxonomic problems are far from being clarified, especially because of apparent common hybridization and misapplication of nomenclature. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)