| Abstrakt: |
Kola (Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl.) is a tree crop of great economic and socio-cultural importance. Available genetic resources of kola are increasingly vulnerable to genetic erosion due to decreased population sizes resulting from land use changes and cutting of trees for timber and firewood production. There is therefore an urgent need to conserve genetic resources of kola in Ghana. The objective of this research was to map distribution, ascertain status of collection and conservation of kola in Ghana and to collect germplasm from mapped provenances for characterization and breeding of improved varieties. Mapping of distribution of kola was carried out by undertaking trips to kola growing areas in Ghana. Transects were constructed and an inventory of C. nitida was carried out using GPS. The geo-references were interpolated into the map of Ghana using ArcGIS software. The spatial analysis showed Jasikan, Akaa, Ahamasu, Ampeyo, Pampawie, Oyoko, Akwadum, Jejeti, Atwedie, Kwahu, Asuom, Tweapease, Kade, Twifo Praso, Assin Fosu, Ntafrewaso, Hemang, Jamasi, Kona, Bipoa, Offinso, Akumadan and Aframcho as the areas with a dense natural populations of C. nitida. The current knowledge and understanding of distribution of kola resources provides opportunity to have a comprehensive collection of genetic resources of kola in Ghana. This aided in collection of 102 new accessions from 22 provenances in the Volta and Eastern regions of Ghana. This in addition to 226 earlier collections constitute 328 accessions of C. nitida in Ghana. The evaluation and understanding of diversity of these kola resources could offer yet-unknown traits of high economic value for further domestication and development of improved varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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