Plant Breeding Research in Ari, South Omo, Konso, and Basketo Zones: A Systematic Review

Plant breeding research remains a cornerstone for sustainable agricultural development, particularly in ecologically diverse and climate-vulnerable regions. In southern Ethiopia, the Ari, South Omo, Konso, and Basketo zones represent distinct agroecological systems with diverse cropping patterns and production constraints. However, breeding research conducted in these zones remains fragmented and poorly synthesized. This systematic review aimed to assess the scope, trends, breeding approaches, target crops, and major research gaps in plant breeding studies undertaken in the four zones. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. Relevant literature published between 2000 and 2025 was retrieved from peer-reviewed journals, university repositories, institutional reports, and conference proceedings. Only studies conducted in, or explicitly reporting results from, the Ari, South Omo, Konso, and Basketo zones were included. A total of 48 studies met the inclusion criteria. total of 48 studies met the inclusion criteria, with most studies conducted in South Omo and Konso zones, while comparatively fewer studies were reported from Ari and Basketo zones, indicating uneven research coverage across the study area. Results revealed that sorghum, maize, enset, finger millet, cowpea, and root crops received the greatest research attention among breeding studies conducted in the four zones. The primary breeding objectives included drought tolerance, disease resistance, yield enhancement, early maturity, and farmer-preferred traits. Conventional and participatory breeding methods were the most commonly employed approaches, accounting for approximately 85–90% of the reviewed studies, whereas molecular breeding approaches were reported in only 4.2% of studies. Significant knowledge gaps were observed in Basketo and Ari zones, particularly due to the limited number of breeding studies available, making it difficult to draw comprehensive conclusions regarding germplasm improvement, variety development, and breeding approaches in these areas. The review highlights the urgent need for integrated breeding programs, enhanced seed system development, and greater application of molecular breeding tools to strengthen food security and climate resilience in southern Ethiopia.