The Status of Plant Genetic Diversity and Genetic Erosion in Ethiopia

Abstract

The plant genetic resources of Ethiopia exhibit an enormous diversity. Different literatures showed that Ethiopia is one of the twelve Vavilov centres of origin and/or genetic diversity for crop plants and their wild relatives. The country’s heterogeneous environmental conditions and the diverse cultural history of the people make Ethiopia an important primary gene pool centre for many cultivated species. Most recent studies indicated that the Ethiopian flora is estimated at more than 6500 species of higher plants of which 10-12% are known to be endemic. The review showed that there are over 300 tree species, 719 horticultural species, 887medicinal plant species used for different purposes.  The current paper also overviewd that the different thearts of genetic resources of the Ethiopia.The review showed that there has already been a 13 percent genetic loss of 13 major indigenous crops in Ethiopia. Nine species of crops (cereal, pulse and oil crops) have been reported to be in danger of total extinction from the country. The major factors causing this loss includes the displacement of the indigenous farmers’ varieties by new genetically uniform crop cultivars, changes in agricultural systems or land use, destruction of habitats and ecosystem, drought and civil strife. Therefore; collection of plant genetic diversities which are at risk and conseravation on farm management, in-situ as well as ex-situ is required.

Keywords/phrases: genetic diversity, genetic erosion, Ethiopian origin