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Morphological Diversity and Ethnobotanical Study of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) (Welw.) Cheesman in Kebena, Cheha and Ezha Woredas, Gurage Zone, SPNNRS, Ethiopia

Published in Plant (Volume 11, Issue 4)
Received: 3 November 2023     Accepted: 20 November 2023     Published: 30 November 2023
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Abstract

ENSET is a multipurpose crop in which every part is thoroughly utilized, not only for food but also for several cultural applications and livestock feed. It is primarily used as food, feed, medicinal, ornamental, and raw material for industries and construction materials. As a species, ENSET morphology is highly variable, although the extent of its variation remains unknown. The purpose of this study is therefore (i) to identify the existing ENSET diversity, (ii) to identify morphological trait variability among landraces of Enset, and (iii) to identify threats that affect ENSET diversity and to understand the associated indigenous knowledge in the study area with the ultimate goal of providing information that will help in constructing a scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable use of the plant. The study was carried out in ten purposively selected kebeles of three districts in the Gurage zone. A total of 100 (20 purposively selected key informants and 80 randomly selected general informants) were interviewed using semi-structured interviews; field observations and guided field walks were also used to collect ethnobotanical data. Morphological traits were measured according to Enset IBPGR (International Board for Plant Genetic Resources) descriptors. The data were analyzed by using computer software R v 3.2.2 and SPSS v 16.0 as well as an Excel 2010 spreadsheet. Direct matrix ranking and preference ranking were also used to analyze the ethnobotanical information. A total of 33 ENSET landraces were identified from the study area. Farmers give the name for their landraces based on morphological traits and sources of planting material. The identified landraces grouped into five clusters based on morphological trait variability. Mean plant height, pseudo stem height and cecum, leaf size and number were significantly different (p<0.05) among clusters. The most abundant landraces were Lemat Nechiwe Yeshirafire and Kanchiwe in Kabena District, whereas Agade and Yeshirakinke were the most abundant in Cheha. Yeshirakinke, Nechiwe, Agade and Kibinar were the most dominant landraces in the third study district. ENSET is an important food crop consumed in the form of bulla, Kocho and Amicho. In addition, ENSET is used as animal feed, as well as a source of medicine and fiber. This study confirms that the Gurage zone is rich in diversity of ENSET, but a reduction in production and loss of some landrace was observed because of different factors.

Published in Plant (Volume 11, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.plant.20231104.14
Page(s) 135-142
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Ensete ventricosum, Kebena, Cheha, Ezha Morphological Trait

References
[1] Abrham Shumbulo, Yishak Gecho and Melese Tora (2012). Diversity Challenges and Potentials of ENSET (Ensete ventricosum) Production: In Case of Offa District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Food Science and Quality Management ISSN 2224-6088 (Paper), ISSN 2225-0557 (Online) vol. 7.
[2] Amare Seifu Assefa and Daniel Fitamo (2016). Diversity of ENSET landraces (Ensete ventricosum (Welw) Cheesman) in Aleta Chuko District, Sidama Zone, South Nation Nationality People and Regional State, Ethiopia. Journal of Plant Sciences 4(1): 1-7.
[3] Bizuneh Taye, Fiseha Asrat & Belete Regassa (1967). Cultivation of genus Enset in Ethiopia. Soil and Crop Science Society of Florida. 27: 133-141.
[4] CSA (Central Statistical Authority) (2010). Population and Housing Census, Analytical report at Zerihun Yemataw, Husen Mohamed, Mohammed Diro, Addis Temesgen, and G. Blome (2014). Ethnic-based diversity and distribution of enset (ensete ventrocosem) clones in southern Ethiopia. Journal of ecology and the natural environment.
[5] CSA (Central Statistical Agency) (2015). Report on area and production of major crops (Private farmer holdings, meher season). Volumeone. The Federal Democratic Republic Of Ethiopia (FDREP). Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[6] FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) (1984). Land Evaluation: Part Three. Crop environmental requirements. Assistance to land use planning, Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[7] Gebre Yntiso (1996). Economic and sociocultural significance of enset among the Ari of southwest Ethiopia.
[8] Institute of biodiversity conservation (IBC) (2007). Ethiopia secondary Report on the state of PGRFA to FAO.
[9] Kefalew Alemu. and Sandford S. (1991). Enset in North Omo Region. Farmers' Research Project (FRP). FARM Africa. Addis Ababa. Ethiopia.
[10] Mercer, K. L. and Perales, H. R. (2010). Evolutionary response of landraces to climate change in centers of crop diversity. Evolutionary Applications. 3: 480–493.
[11] Peveri. (2000). Enset, the tree of the poor, nutrition and identity in Hadiya zone (South Central Ethiopia). University of Bologna, Department of Historical, Anthropological, and Geographical Sciences Bologna, Italy.
[12] Temesgen Magule Olango, Bizuayehu Tesfaye, Marcello Catellani and Mario Enrico (2014). Indigenous knowledge, use and on-farm management of enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) diversity in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology.
[13] Yemane Tsehaye and Fassil Kebebew (2006). Diversity and cultural use of Enset (Enset ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) in Bonga in situ Conservation Site, Ethiopia. Journal of plant, people and applied research.
[14] Zerihun Yemataw, Husen Mohamed, Mohammed Diro, Addis Temesgen, and G. Blome (2014). Ethnic-based diversity and distribution of enset (ensete ventrocosem) clones in southern Ethiopia. Journal of ecology and the natural environment.
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    Jarso, A., Demissew, S., Wondimu, T. (2023). Morphological Diversity and Ethnobotanical Study of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) (Welw.) Cheesman in Kebena, Cheha and Ezha Woredas, Gurage Zone, SPNNRS, Ethiopia. Plant, 11(4), 135-142. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20231104.14

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    Jarso, A.; Demissew, S.; Wondimu, T. Morphological Diversity and Ethnobotanical Study of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) (Welw.) Cheesman in Kebena, Cheha and Ezha Woredas, Gurage Zone, SPNNRS, Ethiopia. Plant. 2023, 11(4), 135-142. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20231104.14

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    AMA Style

    Jarso A, Demissew S, Wondimu T. Morphological Diversity and Ethnobotanical Study of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) (Welw.) Cheesman in Kebena, Cheha and Ezha Woredas, Gurage Zone, SPNNRS, Ethiopia. Plant. 2023;11(4):135-142. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20231104.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.plant.20231104.14,
      author = {Adanech Jarso and Sebsebe Demissew and Tigist Wondimu},
      title = {Morphological Diversity and Ethnobotanical Study of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) (Welw.) Cheesman in Kebena, Cheha and Ezha Woredas, Gurage Zone, SPNNRS, Ethiopia},
      journal = {Plant},
      volume = {11},
      number = {4},
      pages = {135-142},
      doi = {10.11648/j.plant.20231104.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20231104.14},
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      abstract = {ENSET is a multipurpose crop in which every part is thoroughly utilized, not only for food but also for several cultural applications and livestock feed. It is primarily used as food, feed, medicinal, ornamental, and raw material for industries and construction materials. As a species, ENSET morphology is highly variable, although the extent of its variation remains unknown. The purpose of this study is therefore (i) to identify the existing ENSET diversity, (ii) to identify morphological trait variability among landraces of Enset, and (iii) to identify threats that affect ENSET diversity and to understand the associated indigenous knowledge in the study area with the ultimate goal of providing information that will help in constructing a scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable use of the plant. The study was carried out in ten purposively selected kebeles of three districts in the Gurage zone. A total of 100 (20 purposively selected key informants and 80 randomly selected general informants) were interviewed using semi-structured interviews; field observations and guided field walks were also used to collect ethnobotanical data. Morphological traits were measured according to Enset IBPGR (International Board for Plant Genetic Resources) descriptors. The data were analyzed by using computer software R v 3.2.2 and SPSS v 16.0 as well as an Excel 2010 spreadsheet. Direct matrix ranking and preference ranking were also used to analyze the ethnobotanical information. A total of 33 ENSET landraces were identified from the study area. Farmers give the name for their landraces based on morphological traits and sources of planting material. The identified landraces grouped into five clusters based on morphological trait variability. Mean plant height, pseudo stem height and cecum, leaf size and number were significantly different (p<0.05) among clusters. The most abundant landraces were Lemat Nechiwe Yeshirafire and Kanchiwe in Kabena District, whereas Agade and Yeshirakinke were the most abundant in Cheha. Yeshirakinke, Nechiwe, Agade and Kibinar were the most dominant landraces in the third study district. ENSET is an important food crop consumed in the form of bulla, Kocho and Amicho. In addition, ENSET is used as animal feed, as well as a source of medicine and fiber. This study confirms that the Gurage zone is rich in diversity of ENSET, but a reduction in production and loss of some landrace was observed because of different factors.
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    T1  - Morphological Diversity and Ethnobotanical Study of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) (Welw.) Cheesman in Kebena, Cheha and Ezha Woredas, Gurage Zone, SPNNRS, Ethiopia
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    VL  - 11
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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