DNA polymorphism, allozyme diversity and biomass of Cyperus papyrus L. in Kenya’s wetlands

 

By

 

Taita Terer

Laboratory of General Botany and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, e-mail: taaita@yahoo.com.

 

OR

Centre for Biodiversity (Wetland & Marine Department), National Museums of Kenya,  P. O. Box 40658, NAIROBI, KENYA,  Fax: 254 2 374 1424, e-mail : nmk@museums.or.ke / taaita@yahoo.com

 

 

Promoter:  Prof. Dr. Ludwig Triest, Laboratory of General Botany and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium.

 

Introduction

Papyrus cyperus L. is the largest sedge in the world and one of the several aquatic macrophytes that are indigenous to African continent. In Kenya, it is dominant feature of the Lake Victoria vegetation mosaic, Rift Valley regions and valleys and streams draining into the Tana River in Central Province. Despite the importance of aquatic plants, especially the macrophytes, little research work has been done on their genetic diversity but focus has been mainly on terrestrial species. It is difficult, therefore, to make broad comparisons between terrestrial and aquatic plants, although the major determinants of genetic structure in both habitats appear to be breeding system and life history of the species.

 

Though substantial information is currently available on papyrus plant in Kenya, especially on productivity, carbon budget, stable isotopes and standing biomass it is mainly derived from Lake Naivasha and Lake Victoria basin. Little research work seems to have been undertaken on papyrus population from other areas in Kenya. In addition, little information is available on genetic diversity of papyrus plant. More comprehensive studies on fragmented and continuous papyrus swamps is therefore needed in order to make concrete conclusion on the status of genetic structure and diversity of papyrus plants in Kenya. This study therefore determined the genetic diversity and structure of papyrus plants from three different biogeographical regions of Kenya (Lake Victoria basin, Rift Valley and Central Kenya) using both allozyme and DNA markers. Aboveground biomass production of papyrus was also determined. The Information generated is useful to  conservation of papyrus plants and other wetland ecosystem in Kenya. Publications on this study are underway.