TY  - JA
AU  - Sefawdin Berta
AU  - Temesgen Matiwos Menamo
AU  - Tarekegn,Z.T.
AU  - Techale Birhan
AU  - Abush Tesfaye Abebe
TI  - Assessing genetic gain and diversity in Ethiopian bread wheat across six decades
SN  - 2045-2322
PY  - 2025///
CY  - London (United Kingdom)
PB  - Nature Research, 
KW  - Genetics
KW  - AGROVOC
KW  - Genetic diversity (resource)
KW  - Grain
KW  - Yields
KW  - Regression analysis
KW  - Allele frequency
KW  - Wheat
KW  - Ethiopia
N1  - Peer review; Open Access
N2  - Assessing breeding progress and genetic diversity in released varieties is crucial for informing future crop improvement strategies. This study evaluated genetic gain and diversity in 49 Ethiopian wheat varieties released over six decades (1967-2021). Significant yield increases were observed, with 'Shaki' showing the highest gain. However, the average annual genetic gain was modest (0.90% under irrigated, 0.69% under rain-fed). The recent released bread wheat variety '' Shaki '' exhibited a 48.6% increase in grain yield under irrigated conditions and a 37.1% increase under rain-fed conditions over the oldest variety, "Lakech". Genetic diversity analysis revealed a decline in heterozygosity and a skewed allele distribution, suggesting potential inbreeding within the breeding program. Population structure analysis indicated a shared genetic background across decades. The low genetic gain and declining diversity highlight the need for strategies to enhance genetic diversity and incorporate novel yield-associated traits to achieve sustainable genetic improvement in Ethiopian wheat breeding
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/10883/36076
T2  - Scientific Reports
DO  - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-20383-1
ER  -