Bøger af Solomon Benor Belay

This dissertation focuses on the molecular systematic analysis of the genusCorchorus (Malvaceae s.l.), investigated for the first time using nuclear rDNA ITSsequences, and addresses diversity of selected species, which were conductedusing morphological, molecular, and flow cytometry methods.Prior to this study, little information was available regarding the biodiversity andpotential use of jute (Corchorus species) in Ethiopian agriculture. The present studysummarizes species¿ ecological distribution, use, and ethnobotany of Corchorusspecies in Ethiopia. About 13 species were recorded, ranking the country second inthe total number of species in Africa. The study revealed low similarity in speciescomposition between the regional states, indicating that each region has its ownunique set of species. Farmers¿ perception, indigenous knowledge and folk taxonomyof jute species are more comprehensive in the southwest than other studied regionsof the country. Although several jute species are found in Ethiopia, they are neithercultivated nor popularly used as leafy vegetables. This part of the dissertationemphasizes the need for creating of public awareness of jute in Ethiopian agricultureand recommends conservation measures for some threatened species.