Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol.8, No.13, 2018 46 The Status of Plant Genetic Diversity and Genetic Erosion in Ethiopia A Review Ashebir Gogile Zengele Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, P.O.Box 138 Wolaita Sodo, 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 1. Introduction According to Vavilov (1951) there are certain areas in the world where crop plant diversity is extremely high. These areas of greatest diversity are referred to as centre of origin of the crops concerned (Hawkes 1983). Sheffield (1986) also reported that the genetic diversity in crops is concentrated in certain areas of the world. Ethiopia is among such areas in the world where crop domestication started, and considered as a primary gene centre for several crop plants (Vavilov 1951). Other scientists (Frankel, O.H, 1973) reported the existence of many cultivated crops in Ethiopia which show considerable genetic diversity. The tremendous genetic diversity that exists in Ethiopia deserves much more attention than received so far. Scientists from many parts of the world have collected Ethiopian germplasm (Mengesha 1975) and many plant breeders have discovered some highly desirable genetic characteristics such as disease resistance in barley (Qualset 1975). Diversity in crop plants is conditioned by geographic, climatic and edaphic factors, cultural and ethnic differences, farming practices, and religious and cultural beliefs (Hawkes 1983). Ethiopia is endowed with diverse ecosystems, and edaphic and climatic conditions. As the result, the country is inhibited by amazingly great diversity of plant, animal and microbial genetic resources (FAO 2001). It is also reported that the genetic diversity found in the Ethiopian landraces are being used worldwide for developing new crop varieties and addressing different production constraints. Most of this diversity is found in farms of small-scale farmers who have been playing central roles in the maintenance and use of these resources (Melaku Worede et al. 2000). In countries like Ethiopia where agriculture is dominated by subsistence farming, diversity among crop species is especially significant. The diversity represents an important resource to the farming communities (Melaku Worede et al. 2000). There are between 6500 and 7000 higher plant species, out of which about 12 per cent are endemic to Ethiopia (Tewolde Berhan, 1991; IBC, 2004). Despite the genetic diversity and origin, the current agricultural policies largely focus on national or regional important crops without due consideration of indigenous crop production. Major agricultural development programs are biased towards the cultivation of high yielding commercial crops. However, this does not seem realistic, especially to subsistence farmers in developing countries like Ethiopia, who prefer to increase their option by diversifying their small plots of land rather than homogenizing them with high external inputs and varieties (Yeshitila Mekbib, 2007). Therefore; the objectives of this review were to evaluate the genetic diversity and endemic plant resources of Ethiopia and their major causes of genetic diversity in Ethiopia. 2. Plant Genetic Diversity 2.1 Field crop diversity The major field crops grown in Ethiopia are classified in four groups: cereals, pulses, oil seeds, and industrial crops ((Tewolde Berhan, 1991; IBC, 2007, IBC, 2008, IBC, 2009)