Armenia is considered to be one of the centres of origin for wild ancestors of crops and livestock, and for the artificial selection of new varieties and breeds.

The Armenian plateau is recognised an important centre of origin for cultivated plants. This is based upon both the number of extant wild relatives of crop plants (criterion used by Humbolt & Brown in the19th century), and upon the number of varieties of different species occurring in the country (criterion used by Vavilov). Historical evidence has revealed ethno-botanical use dating from the 8th century BC, with excavations showing evidence of crop growing as early as the 5th century BC. This discovery of early ethno-botanical use is supported by evidence from ancient Assyrian cuneiforms (9th-8th centuries BC) which suggest widespread cultivation of wheat across the Armenian plateau. Further evidence comes from Armenian chronicles, which mention the use of a range of fruit species, including Armenian varieties (e.g. fig, apple, pear, and peach) while wheat, vegetables and forest plants are mentioned by Barsegh Kesaratsi (329-279 BC).

Archeological and ethno-botanical studies also indicate long-term cultivation of grains (wheat, barley, rye, millet, oats), pulses (peas, lentils, chick peas, broad beans), fruit (water-melon, grapes, apricot, quince, plum, cherry, pomegranate, peach, apple), as well as nuts and wild grasses on the Armenian plateau. This extent of cultivation and variety of crops indicates that Armenia is an important site of origin for crop cultivars.

The following varieties and wild relatives of crops occur in Armenia (see also Map 11).

· Cereals. A total of 13 species and approximately 360 varieties of wheat are found in Armenia. Three species of world importance grow in Armenia (Triticum boeoticum, T. urartu and T. araraticum), and the latter two species appear to have originated in the vicinity of Armenia. A further nine species of wheat (genus Aegilops) are recorded in Armenia, including some wild varieties. A number of species of rye occur in Armenia (sub-species of Secale cereale, and wild relatives S. vavilovii and S. montanum, including 36 varieties). Barley cultivars (Hordeum distichon, H. intermedium and H. vulgare) are planted and a further eight wild species (with high intra-specfic diversity) occur naturally (including H. spontanem and H. bulbosum).

· Pulses Native cultivars of runner beans (Phaseolus), lentils (Lens), garden pea (Pisum), and broad bean (Vicia) are found in Armenia. In addition, wild relatives of lentils (2 species), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum; 2 varieties), and garden peas (3 species) are found.

· Fodder plants. A range of fodder plants occur, mainly from two families - Fabaceae (among others Medicago (10 species/varieties), Trifolium (30), Onobrychis (6) and Vicia (36) and Poaceae (including species and varieties of Agropyron, Arrhenaterum, Dactylis, Festuca, Lolium, Phleum, and Bromus).

· Fruits and berries. Fruiting plants have been grown since ancient times, and a wide range of cultivated, wild and semi-wild forms are found today. These include apples (4 varieties), pears (17), whitebeam (10), hawthorns (11), plums (4), and almond trees (4). Species and varieties of peach, quince, walnut, pomegranate, melon and fig, are cultivated as well as varieties and species of the genera Ribes (includes blackcurrant), Dospyros, Cerasus, Pistacia (includes pistachio and turpentine), Elaeagnus (includes silverberry and oleaster) Fragaria, and Rubus.

· Vegetables and salad crops. As well as cultivated species, a number of wild crop species occur, including beetroot, spinach, carrots, coriander, mint, asparagus, and leek.

· Oil bearing plants. As well as cultivated crops the following wild species grow: flax hemp, camiline (false flax), mustard (several species), safflower, and poppies.

· Wild edible plants. A wide range of plants have been collected from the wild since historical times, and some of these have since been brought into cultivation.

The conservation of the natural diversity found within wild populations and relatives of crops is an important issue. This is most likely to succeed in protected areas (reserves and reservations). In addition, ex-situ conservation takes place in nurseries, seedbanks, research laboratories and herbaria. Special collections and nurseries might also be established to help protect endemic varieties of cultivated plants.

Armenia appears to have been the source for a number of wild relatives of domestic livestock, including sheep. Recent studies suggest that the endemic Armenian mouflon (Ovis orientalis gmelinii) may be the ancestor of domestic sheep. In addition, the Kharabaghian race of horse appears to have derived from native wild horses of the Armenian Plateau. Armenia also appears to have been a centre for goat breeding, and endemic varieties of goat (such as Kilikian semifine-wool goat) have been described.

There is a long history of animal breeding in Armenia, with archeological studies showing the keeping of livestock since Neolithic times (including horses, cows, sheep and pigs). Cuneiform records from Urartu also indicate that all the main agricultural species in Armenia were also bred at that time. Further evidence for the history of livestock breeding comes from ancient Armenian chroniclers (3rd - 4th centuries AD). Since that period there is extensive evidence for artificial selection and the development of distinctive animal breeds in Armenia.

· The Causcasian breed of cow was derived from the crossing of native Caucasian, Lebedinian and Castroma varieties.
· Native varieties of domestic sheep derive from the Armenian mouflon, while the Armenian semicoarse-wool sheep derives from selective breeding of Balbas-American and Ramboulije-British Lincoln breeds. A range of sheep bearing semi-fine wool have also been developed through mixed breeding.
· The 'Armenian manufacturing pig' was developed from crosses of big white pigs, and Landras, Wales and Djurok breeds.
· 'Yerevan' chickens were developed from crossing Rhode Island, Austalorp and New Hampshire breeds.
· A native breed of rabbits ('Armenian marder') were bred from blue-coated rabbits crossed with Himalayan and chinchilla breeds.
· Buffaloes bred in Armenia were originally derived from the Asian water buffalo.
· In addition, coypu (originating in South America) have been bred in Armenia since 1940.

A wide range of crops are grown today in Armenia, and given the importance of agriculture in the country, these species represent an important reserve of biological diversity, as well as sources of genetic resources for further artificial selection. Around 600,000 ha (20% of the overall land) has been cultivated - including 500,000 ha of arable lands and nearly 100,000 ha of perennial seed-plots. In 1996 approximately 335,000 ha of agricultural lands were under cultivation.

Cultivated plants include crops, fruit, vines etc. Crop plants are summarised in Table 4.1. In particular, arable land is an important component of land cover in Armenia, and grains grow at altitude between 375 and 2000m, and on slopes up to 160. Thus the overall area potentially available for arable production is 1.2 million ha (40% of the total land).

· Vegetables and salad crops. Armenia's climate is well suited to growing vegetables and salad crops. Those currently grown include: onion, cucumber, garlic, cabbage, spinach, tomato, pepper, egg-plant, cauliflower, turnip, cress, parsley, dill, coriander, basil, mint, okra, marrow, pumpkin, and horseradish.

· Fruit cultivation. Apples and pears are generally grown at higher altitudes, while apricots and peaches are grown in the valleys; over 35% of the country's fruit orchards are concentrated in the Ararat valley.

· Viniculture. Vines cover around 3% of all agricultural lands, and are generally found in the valleys and foothills, where suitable soils are present. Land privatization has severely affected viniculture in Armenia, and some grape varieties may be lost as a result.

Table 4.1. Common crops in Armenia and their current distributions

Armenia's independence following the break up of the former Soviet Union, led to changes in the distribution and ownership of land, with up to 99% of agricultural lands now being privatized, along with 79% of lands growing perennial crops and 63% of hayfields. A total of 88% of agricultural land is now in private ownership. Land privatization and economic changes have had important impacts on both the crops cultivated, the area of land cultivated and the productivity of land (as a result of changes in demand, pesticide use etc.). This is illustrated in Table 4.2.