Current Status of Spice Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

Ethiopia is a source country for many spice exports, with a long history of spice. The average land covered by spices is approximately 222,700 ha with production reaching 244,000 tons per year. More than 50 spices are produced in Ethiopia, and a total potential for low land spice framing estimated to be 200,000 hectares. Spices are considered as minor crops their significance for Ethiopia can hardly be overestimated. Around 12 species which is originated Ethiopia or were introduced very long ago and are considered to be of important. The social, economic and technical situation of Ethiopian agriculture has changed drastically, with the introduction of advance cultivars into country genetic erosion is very likely to occur even in the group of minor crops. In addition extensive erosion of genetic resources of indigenous species with destruction of the natural forest and their habit threaten to the resources. Therefore to solve this problems conservation and utilization of spice genetic resources are crucial. Ethiopian biodiversity institute conserved spice germplasm in ex situ conservation such as seed gene bank and Field gene bank. In addition to this farmers also conserve the spice diversity in the Home garden. Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, since its establishment, has distributed seed samples to various users. Each year, the gene bank dispatch seed samples for local research activities. 75% of the users are research centers; followed by universities (17%), private researchers (6%) and others (0.1%). The tissue culture development has been taken by different research center and university. This review concluded that in Ethiopian different spice are produced under domesticated and natural categories. Building sustainable in terms of plant genetic resources conservation and utilization should be agenda of international as well as national conference, and also farmers should be educated on why they should conserve diversity in home garden. Ex situ conservation should be more focused on complementing in-situ conservation through in the genetic diversity of very rare species can be better understood.