Plant Genetic Resources of Ethiopia

Hardback

Main Details

Title Plant Genetic Resources of Ethiopia
Authors and Contributors      Edited by J. M. M. Engels
Edited by J. G. Hawkes
Edited by M. Worede
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:400
Dimensions(mm): Height 236,Width 157
Category/GenreBotany and plant sciences
Agronomy and crop production
ISBN/Barcode 9780521384568
ClassificationsDewey:631.523
Audience
Professional & Vocational

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 21 March 1991
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

One of the world centers of crop evolution and origin, Ethiopia has long been recognized 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 plant genetic diversity in Ethiopia 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 center of diversity, germ plasm or genetic material collection and conservation in Ethiopia, and the evaluation and utilization 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 conservation strategies and gene bank 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 reference work.

Reviews

"Plant breeders, geneticists, and botanists will find the book useful." Biological Abstracts "Too often we view plant genetic resources as diffusion out of the Near Eastern center into North Africa, Ethiopia, and Northern India; we often forget that there were contacts of people and crops in other directions. This volume is important as an antidote to an Aryan-centered view of the world...Plant breeders of crops with Ethiopian germplasm will find this book worth reading." Giles Waines, The Quarterly Review of Biology