Chloroplast DNA Diversity of Tunisian Barley Landraces as Revealed by cpSSRs Molecular Markers and Implication for Conservation Strategies.

In Tunisia, barley local landraces are still cropped for human and animal consumption in some subsistence farming systems under marginal and stressed conditions. These high-value genetic resources present a potential source of resistance genes to biotic and abiotic stresses useful for both national and international breeders. Actually, they are represented by threatened small populations, which face a high risk of genetic erosion and progressive substitution by modern varieties.

New insights into the intraspecific cytoplasmic DNA diversity, maternal lineages classification and conservation issues of Tunisian pearl millet landraces.

Tunisian pearl millet ( L.) landraces are still growing in contrasting agro-ecological environments and are considered potentially useful for national and international breeders. Despite its genetic potential, the cropping areas of this species are still limited and scattered which increases the risk of genetic erosion.