Bread Wheat Breeding and Genetics Research in Ethiopia
1991
Hailu Gebre Mariam
Ethiopia has a wealth of variability in its wheat genetic resources, being one of the major centers of diversity for cultivated tetraploid wheats. Hexaploid wheat was probably introduced by the Portugese or the Italians, although the exact period of introduction is unknown. Genetic resource explorations began in Ethiopia before 1990, while wheat improvement work began in the northern part of the country during the early 1900s. Historically, bread wheat breeding and research in Ethiopia can be divided into four periods. Before 1930, available records deal with expeditions by European plant explorers and report on the identification of several T. aestivum varieties. During 1930-52, several wheat varieties were introduced from Europe and gave satisfactory grain yields, but they soon succumbed to diseases, particularly stem, leaf and yellow rust. Local varieties performed consistently because of good adaptation. During the early 1950s, the Paradiso Research Station near Asmara released Kenya 1, 5, and 6, and several varieties originating from local selection. From 1953-66, wheat improvement intensified with the establishment of Alemaya Colegge of Agriculture and the Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Station. As a result, 6 bread wheat varieties were recommended for release in 1957. The period 1967-90 has been an important era for wheat research in Ethiopia.
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This bibliographic record has been provided by Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
