Plant Genetic Resources of Ethiopia

One of the world centres of crop evolution and origin, Ethiopia has long been recognised as an important area of diversity for several major and various minor crops. Based on an international conference held in Addis Ababa, this book describes how this genetic diversity is of vital importance in breeding new varieties of crops with desirable characteristics such as increased resistance to pests and diseases and greater adaptation to heat and drought. The three main sections in the book consider the Ethiopian centre of diversity, germplasm collection and conservation in Ethiopia and the evaluation and utilisation of Ethiopian genetic resources. A broad range of food and feed crops and plants of medicinal and industrial importance are discussed, both at a national and international level. A brief account of those conservation strategies and genebank problems unique to Ethiopia is also given. The importance of Ethiopia’s plant genetic resources to world agriculture has been demonstrated on more than one occasion. Plant breeders, geneticists and botanists throughout the world will therefore find this unique book a valuable source of information and an essential work of reference.