Morphological trait characterization of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) landrace with quantitative and qualitative methods, in Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia

Ashenafi Mitiku^* and Kibebew Fikre ^*Correspondence: Ashenafi Mitiku, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia, Email:

Author info »

Introduction

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is classified as a perennial monocarpic crop genetically classified as order Schistaminae and family Musaceae [1]. Cheesman is the only known wild species in Ethiopia, which is believed to be its center of origin. In Ethiopia, locally known by its vernacular names Enset or koba (by Amhara ethnic group), asat (Gurage), weise (Kambata), werke (Oromia), and wassa (Sidama). Enset is grown and distributed at altitudes between 1600 and 3000 masl with an average annual rainfall of 1100 to 1500 mm, and it is chiefly propagated vegetative. Farmers’ own taxonomic knowledge categorizes Enset landraces into either male or female, based on particular morphological or phenological properties [2]. Male farmers generally prefer male Enset landraces, which are late maturing and disease resistant, but with a lower quality of amicho and kocho, but female farmers prefer female Enset landraces, which mature earlier and have tastier kocho and amicho, but are less vigorous and more susceptible to disease. At the farmers’ level, the same landraces may have different vernacular names depending on the ethnic or linguistic groups and agroecological zones. Choro and ‘Ketano’ Enset landraces are used by farmers in two districts of Kaffa province for the same landrace. On the other hand, Mazia Enset landrace was given the same name for different landraces across ethnical groups and agro-ecologies of Dawro and Wolaita but represents different landraces. Women (vs. men) and elderly (vs. younger) farmers are generally more knowledgeable about the different attributes of Enset landraces and able to recall more landraces than men during group discussions. Farmers differentiate landraces based on phenotypic characteristics, such as the color of the petiole, midrib, and leaf sheath, angle of leaf orientation, size, and color of leaves, and circumference and length of the pseudostem [3]. Vernacular names are often descriptive and reflect the variety of landraces in places of origin, morphology, as well as agronomic and cooking characteristics [4].

Enset is a major multipurpose crop in Ethiopia, which has been identified as the center of origin and diversity of Enset [5]. Enset plays a central role in the economic, social, and cultural life of the diverse ethnic people in the South and Southwestern part of the country [6]. In Ethiopia, Enset is one of the major economic and socio-cultural importance crops for a wide range of smallholder households as the staple and costaple food. Onset is important for food security for human beings and feeding for animals during drought time [7]. The number of landraces grown is closely linked to the importance of Enset for a certain ethnic group. More than 20% of Ethiopia’s population depends on Enset for human food, fiber, animal forage, construction materials, and medicines [8]. The major foods obtained from Enset include kocho, bulla, and amicho, which are prepared through fermentation and extraction of edible starch, respectively, and provide more than 65% of the caloric requirements of people. After a successful fermentation process, pseudostem and corm are important for human food and are eaten as bread and enjera form, leaf and leaf sheath is important for an animal, dried midrib is important for the industrial product [9]. In addition to as a portion of food, some of the onset landraces are of medicinal value (especially their corms) for both humans and livestock to cure bone fractures, broken bones, diarrhea and are used as birth control [10]. Medicinal landraces may be more threatened than others because when a person is ill, the medic is usually given the plant (free of charge) to cure the ailment of the patient, but the farmer does not have an economic reason to propagate and replant the medicinal landraces. Enset provides an important dietary starch source, as well as fiber, medicine, animal fodder, roofing, and packaging. It stabilizes soils and microclimates and has significant cultural importance [11]. In the Gurage zone, Guraye, Astara, Kibnar, and Deree Enset landrace was locally identified to cure bone fractures and broken bone repairing. In addition to this Cherkiwe (Yefurenzir) Enset landrace is important in discharging placenta phenotypically reddish color leaves and Yedemert or Lobo identified as to cure liver disease treatment because its special character is a red sap when it is cutting midribs of a plant of Enset landrace.

Being perennial, Enset improves local climate and soil conservation, and soil erosion management of. In traditional agriculture, farmers have a wealth of knowledge in tackling varieties selected for their socioeconomic and environmental conditions. Enset in Ethiopia: A poorly characterized received relatively little research attention. Characterization of Enset germplasm using morphological traits shows much variability in quantitative and phenotypic observation, growth, and yield traits among Enset accessions, including maturation rate, plant height, color, and susceptibility to disease [12]. Therefore, this research was conducted with the objective of morphological trait characterization of Enset landrace by quantitative and qualitative trait methods in Gurage zone at the Yefereze Enset conservation site.

Materials and Methods

Experimental design and treatment arrangement

The experiment was conducted in SNNPR in Gurage zone, in Wolkite University at Yefereze Enset conservation site. The study was conducted using 18 enset landraces, which were collected from Gurage zone, and both western and eastern Gurage part, and Yemi special Woreda conserved since 2014, along with two control (Lemat and Ankefuye) Enset landraces. All Enset landraces were planted within 1.5 m intervals and 15 Enset landraces were planted in each row (Tables 1 and 2). The assessment was conducted according to, and the treatments were outlined using a single plot design [13,14].

TABLE 1 Geographical and climatic conditions of districts during the cropping season

TABLE 2 Area of Enset landrace collection

Data collection

All quantitative and qualitative trait data were collected for randomly five tagged plants with the insertion of two plants in each row. Plant height (cm), pseudostem height (cm), pseudostem circumference (cm), leaf number, leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), and petiole length (cm) are quantitative trait characterization methods whereas the qualitative traits are pseudo stem color, leaf tip color, upper leaf color, lower leaf color, upper midrib color, lower midrib color, petiole colors was characterized by the color chart and shape of leaf lobes, matured leaf shape. Propagation of enset landrace was conducted on the virgin soil by of six years old enset landrace.

Data analysis

All quantitative data were analyzed by SAS software methods version 9.2. The correlation analysis was analyzed by the procedure of proc corr [15].

Results and Discussion

Effect of plant height on Enset landrace

Plant height is a highly significant difference (P<0.001) among Enset landraces. The longer plant height was recorded at Ankogena which is (466.6 cm (4.67 m)) followed by Erake Enset landrace which is (410.4 cm (4.1 m)). Non-significant plant height data were recorded from Fereziye, Yefurenzir, Adiya Ehire, Shertiye, Genbeniye, Cherkiwe Enset landrace which is varied from (369.2-336.6 cm (3.7 m to 3.4 m)) within Enset landrace this is classified as an intermediate plant while medium plant heights were recorded from Lemat, Gimbwe, Gesero, Kerbte, Gewada, Ankefuye Enset landrace. The shortest plant height was recorded from Aydes (208 cm (2.08 m)) and Kibo (209.4 cm (2.1 m) (Table 3). Among these landraces, Yefurenzir and Cherkiwe there are medicinal values or displacing the placenta when the animal is burning if the placenta is not displacing from their body. All landraces were important for human food after fermentation and animal food as a green feed. The result is varied within the landrace, this is maybe a genetic variation of Enset. The result is in line with the work of [16]. Mature height ranges from 2 m to 10 m for Enset plants. According to farmers, corm size, tissue quality of starch, root structure for harvestability, drought, frost, and disease tolerance are all variables among clonal genotypes. Wild and domesticated Enset differ in growth pattern, with the former increasing girth more consistently with age and the latter attaining larger girth earlier in development.

Effect of Enset landrace on pseudostem height

The result shows that the pseudostem height is significant at (P<0.001). The higher pseudostem height was recorded from Ankogena Enset landrace which is 136.6 cm (1.37 m) followed by Erake, Fereziye, Genbeniye which is 119 cm (1.2 m), 113.6 cm (1.14 m) and 113.6 cm (1.14 m) respectively. Medium Enset landrace height was recorded from Kanbatiyr, Kinchiwe, Yefurenzir, Lemat, Adiya Ehire, Gimbwe Gasero, Ankefuye, Shertiye, and Cherkiwe ranging from 102.6 cm (1.03 m) to 86.8 cm (0.86 m). Whereas the shortest pseudostem height was recorded from Kibo, Aydes, and Kerbte which is 55.4 cm (0.55 m), 62.4 cm (0.62 m), and 69.6 cm (0.7 m) respectively.

Effect of Enset landrace on leaf length

The result shows that leaf length is highly significant at (P<0.001) among Enset landraces. The higher leaf length was recorded from Ankogena, Erake, and Fereziye enset landrace which is 329.8 cm (3.3 m), 291.4 cm (2.9 m), and 255.6 cm (2.56 m) respectively followed by Genbeniye kanbatiyr, Kinchiwe, Yefurenzir, Lemat, Adiya Ehire, Gimbwe Gasero, Ankefuye, Shertiye, and Cherkiwe. Whereas the shortest leaf lengths were recorded from Kibo, Aydes, Kerbte, and Gesero Enset landrace which are 147 cm (1.47 m), 152.6 cm (1.53 m), 179.4 cm (1.79 m), and 177.2 cm (1.77 m) respectively (Table 3).

TABLE 3 Quantitative trait character of Enset landrace

Means with the same letter in a column are not significantly different among the treatments

Effect of Enset landrace on pseudo stem circumference

The result shows that pseudostem circumference is highly significant at (P<0.001). The higher pseudostem circumference was recorded from Genbeniye, Ankogena, Gewada, Gesero, and Kanbatiyr Enset landrace which is 156 cm (1.56 m), 127.8 cm (1.28 m), 124.2 cm (1.24 m), 131.2 cm (1.31 m) and 122.8 cm (1.23 m) respectively followed by Lemat, Fereziye, Gembwe, kerbte, which is 95 cm (0.95 m), 104.4 cm (1.04 m), 108 cm (1.08 m) and 106.74 cm (1.07 m) respectively. Whereas the shallowest pseudostem circumference was recorded from Kibo, Cherkiwe, Aydes, Ankefuye, Adiya Ehire, Lemat, Yefurenzir, Shertiye, and Kanchiwe which is, 79 cm (0.79 m), 60.6 cm (0.066 m), 68.4 cm (0.68 m), 79 cm (0.79 m), 84.8 cm (0.85 m), 95 cm (0.95 m), 79 cm (90.79 m), 93.4 cm (0.93 m) and 88 cm (0.88 m) respectively (Table 3). The result agrees with the work of the Enset landrace is highly vigorous within Enset cultivars [17]. Pseudostem shape and varies from domesticated Enset land land-race. Corm size, tissue quality of starch, root structure for harvestability, drought, frost, and disease tolerance are all variables among clonal genotypes.

Effect of Enset landrace on leaf width

The result shows that the pseudostem height is highly significant at (P<0.001). The higher leaf width was recorded from Ankogena and Erake Enset landrace which is 76 cm (0.76 m) and 71.4 cm (0.71 m), respectively followed by Genbeniye, Shertiye, Gawada, Fereziye, and Yefurenzir. Medium leaf width was recorded from Cherkiwe, Ankefuye, Kerbte, Adiya, Ehire, Lemat, and Kanbatiyr, Whereas the narrow leaf width was recorded from Kibo Aydes, Kerbte, and Gesero which is 43 cm (0.43 m), 40.8 cm (0.41 m) and 47 cm (0.47 m) respectively (Table 3). The result agrees with the work of Leaf size with different cultivars varies from Enset landrace. Leaf width and size vary from domesticated Enset landrace.

Effect of Enset landrace on the number of leaves per plant

The result shows that the number of leaves per plant is significant at (P<0.001). The higher leaves number was recorded from Gawada, Genbeniye, Kerbte, Gimbwe, Adiya Ehire, and Kanbatiyr Enset landrace which is 11-12.8 ranges followed by Shertiye, Ankefuye, kibo, Ankogena, Kerbte, Fereziye, and Lemat Enset landrace. The lower number of leaves was recorded from Cherkiwe, Aydes, Erake, Yefurenzir Gesero, and Kanchiwe Enset landrace (Table 3).

Effect of Enset landrace on petiole length

The result shows that petiole lengths are significantly at (P<0.001). The higher petiole length was recorded from Cherkiwe and Yefurenzir which is 45.4 cm and 42.2 cm, respectively, followed by Ayides, Gesero, Adiya Ehire, Ankefuye, Fereziye, Gimbwe, ranging from 21.2 to 18.8. the medium length was recorded from Kibo, Ankogena, Kanbatiyr, Shertiye, and Kanchiwe with the range of 15.2 to 12.4. Whereas the lower petiole length was recorded Genbeniye, Kerbte, Erake, Gawada, and Keribte, which is 11.6 cm and 8 cm, respectively (Table 3). Leaf width and size vary from domesticated Enset landrace.

Qualitative trait character of Enset landrace

Locally, farmers are identifying types of Enset landrace based on qualitatively trait character. Farmers classified Enset cultivars based on phenotype character. Identification of Enset clones based on morphological characters and principal color is common for Farmers. The most important morphological descriptors included pseudostem circumference, corm weight, and fiber yield, with maturity period and number of leaves also contributing useful information [18]. This suggests that there is indeed high diversity in desirable crop traits. However, due to the vast number of landraces and considerable variability between individuals, the degree of precision and consistency in morphological studies is unclear.

From the assessment, qualitative character of enset varied among Enset landraces. Pseudostem color characterization of Kanbatiyr, Kanchiwe, Ferezeye, Ankefuye Enset, lad race was red in color, Yefurenzir, Lemat, Ankogena, and Ginbeniye had black with the stripe of green color. Adiya, Ehire, and Shirtiye were light green. Gesero and Kerbte had browne in addition to the other Gimbwe Enset landraces were browne and black pseudostem (Table 4). The result agrees with the work of, where color of pseudostem varies from landrace to landrace and reported that 34.6% of landrace was green, 23.1% was light green, 30.8% was deep brown and 11.5 % red color. Leaf color of landrace is varied from cultivated Enset, landraces mainly green, red, yellow, and purple color, and wild Enset is predominantly green (also referred to as ‘white’ in Ethiopia)

In upper leaf color characterizing, all enset landraces were deep green color whereas Cherkiwe and Yefurenzir had reddish in phenotypic characterization. The lower leaf color character, Cherkiwe is red and Yefurenzir blackish color, but the other Enset landraces were light green (Table 4), the result agrees with the report of leaf color of landraces is varied within cultivated Enset landraces mainly green, red, yellow, purple color. The upper-side leaf lamina color and the most frequent was light green.

Upper midrib character of Enset landrace of Lemat landrace is black with a stripe of red color, Cherkiwe landrace is red color, Gimbewe landrace is black color in upper midrib color characterization whereas in under-side midrib characterization Gimbwe, Gesero, Erake, Kerbte, and Shirtiye enset landraces were a reddish color, the other Enset landraces were red color (Table 4). The result agrees with the report of the midrib color of the landrace is varied from cultivated Enset landraces which are green, red, yellow, purple, and black color. The upper-side midrib color light-tomedium green with black patches and black stripes, and rusty brown with green lines was observed. The most abundant upper-side midrib color across all altitude groups was light-to-medium green with black patches and black stripes. Under-side midrib color classes in all six regions revealed a greater abundance of orange-red with green lines in Dawro and Gurage.

Landraces of Kanbatiyr, Yefurenzir, Kerbte and Ankefuye red color, Lemat, Gimbwe, Gewada, Shertiye, and Genbeniye Enset landraces were a black color, Aydes, Kibo and Gesero is green color, Kanchiwe light green, Adiya Ehire, and Erake landrace was black and green color, Cherkiwe is greenish petiole color character. Petiole color is varied from cultivated Enset landraces and some landraces were green, red, yellow, purple, and black color. The upper-side petiole color of Enset landrace populations was predominantly light-to-medium green with black patches and black streaks, followed by purple-brown with green lines and black spots in Dawro, Gamo Gofa, and Gurage. Farmers from Dawro, Gamo Gofa, and Gurage grow different Enset landraces in the same plot of land and distinguish different Enset landraces mainly through under-side petiole and midrib color. The under-side petiole colors were mainly light-to-medium green with brown stripes (2) and red with black patches (10) across the four altitude ranges.

The leaf tip edge of all Enset landraces was blackish color except Ayides Enset landrace was browne in leaf tip color character (Table 4). The result agrees with the most frequent leaf tip edge color was brown in Dawro, Gamo, Gofa, and Gurage locations. The most predominant leaf tip edge color in Enset was brown-purple. The concluded leaf tip edge color and the under-side midrib color were relatively monomorphic, while the under-side petiole color and upper-side midrib color, and upper-side petiole color had an intermediate diversity. Some of the qualitative traits character and stage growth of Enset landrace (Figure 1).

TABLE 4 Qualitative trait character of Enset landrace at Yefereze research site

Figure 1) A-E): Examples of morphological variation in under-side midrib colour; FJ): Examples of morphological variation in under-side petiole colour; K-O): Examples of morphological variation in upper-side midrib colour

Effect of enset landrace on sucker number

The number of suckers per plant is varied in Enset landraces. The higher number of suckers were recorded from Yefereze Enset landrace which is 52 suckers/plant followed by Kanchiwe, Ankogena, and Lemat which is 43 to 32 of suckers per mother plant. Kanbatiyr, Ankefuye, Gesero, Kibo, Gewada, Shertiye, Genbeniye, Gimbwe, Gewada, Kibo, Keribote, AdiyaEhie, Yefurenzir Enset landraces are medium sucker number which is the range of 20-27 sucker. Whereas the lowest sucker numbers were recorded from Cherkiwe Aydes Enset landrace which is 19 and 18 suckers (Table 5). In the Gurage area, most farmers are propagating the Enset from the age of 3-4 year old Enset landrace and one mother plant will produce 40-150 suckers/plant. The lower number of suckers were recorded, this is maybe the pseudostem circumference and age of the mother plant. The number of suckers produced per rhizome varied depending on soil conditions, cultivar, type, size and age of the mother plant rhizome, amount of rainfall, land preparation, and time of planting. On average, Enset farming household cultivates between 200 and 400 plants and consumes about 10 to 20 plants annually. Therefore, 1 to 4 parent rhizomes can fulfill the annual requirement for Enset planting materials (Figure 2).

TABLE 5 Effect of Enset landrace on sucker number

Figure 2) Growth stage of Enset landrace

Correlation analysis of Enset landrace on quantitative character

Highly significant (p<0.001) positive correlation was observed among the character of pseudostem (95.1%) leaf length (88.5%), and leaf width (81.45%) with plant height [19]. Leaf length (76.9%), leaf width (71.8%), pseudostem circumference (23%) with pseudostem length. Leaf width (75.4%) with leaf length, leaf width (27.5%), number of leaves (20.9%) with pseudostem circumference. The number of leaves (15.4%) with leaf width. Whereas a negative correlation was observed between the character of petiole length (33.9%) with pseudostem circumference and pseudostem circumference (18.9%) with leaf length. None significant correlation was observed among quantitative trait characters (Table 6 and Figure 3) [20].

TABLE 6 Correlation analysis of Enset land race for block one

Figure 3) Phenological stages of Enset

Conclusion

Enset is a perennial plant and matures in five to seven years based on Enset landrace climatic growing from 1200 m.a.s.l to 3100 m.a.s.l. In tropical areas maturing within a short period of time, whereas in temperate areas maturing lately. An Enset germplasm at Yerefezy research station shas clear differences in morphology with substantial differences in growth rate, result shows that both quantitatively and qualitative Enset landrace is varied. Pseudostem height, pseudostem circumference, corm size, corm circumference, and plant height are one of the best criteria to determine the yield of Enset landrace both for the farmer and in the research field. Whereas the qualitative character is evaluating the phenotypic variability of Enset landrace color. Both quantitative and qualitative character characterization is indicating the genetic variability of the Enset landrace. Based on pseudostem height, pseudostem circumference, and plant height, the following Enset landraces Ankogena, Ginbeniye and Erake, Gesero and Kanbatiyer Enset landraces were performed well followed by Lemat, Fereziye, Gimbwe, and Kerbte Enset landrace. Moderate yield defining traits were recorded from Kanchiwe, Yefurenzir, Adiye, Ehire, Kibo, Ankefuye, and Shertiye Enset landrace, whereas the lower yield defining traits were recorded from Cherkiwe and Ayides landraces. Therefore, from the results, the following Enset landrace, Ankogena, Ginbeniye, and Erake enset landraces were higher performance compared to other Enset landraces and recommended to the local farmer and for all food-insecure countries to cultivate Enset landrace to improve the livelihood. Enset is an underexploited starch crop with significant potential in Ethiopia and beyond.

Acknowledgment

The authors went on to acknowledge to Wolkite University Research Vice President, and the research directorate for their interest to collect, conserving, and overall funding at the Yefereze Enset research site. In addition to The McKnight and KEW projects for their funding at the time of Enset landrace collection. Finally, the deepest thanks goes to Mr. Muhajir Mohammed and his staff for their active participation in all activities of the Enset research site.

Funding Statement

This research was fully supported by Wolkite University, Research and Community Service vice president’s office under Research and development Directorate Office.

Authors’ Contributions

All data collection and data analysis carried by both researchers. For publication, the final manuscript was written by Ashenafi Mitiku.

Availability of Data and Material

All data generated or analyzed in this study are included in this manuscript, and available in the corresponding authors.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

Written permission to conduct the research was obtained from the Wolkite University College of Agricuslture and Natural Resource of Research and Development Directorate office research committee (Ref. no of WKU/ RDD/355/13/19, date of Decenber 02, 19). This research was conducted as ongoing research part at Cheha Woreda Yefereze Enset Conservation Research site. Yefereze Enset conservation site was established by Wolkite University since 2013.

Consent for Publication

Not applicable.

References

1. Yemataw Z, Mohamed H, Diro M, et al. Genetic variability, inter-relationships and path analysis in enset (Ensete ventricosum) clones. Afr J Plant Sci Biotechnol. 2012;6:21-25.

   [Google Scholar]

2. Tsehaye Y, Kebebew F. Diversity and cultural use of enset (Enset ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) in Bonga in situ conservation site, Ethiopia. Ethnobot Res Appl.4: 147-157.

   [Google Scholar]

3. Yemataw Z, Mohamed H, Diro M, et al. Enset (Ensete ventricosum) clone selection by farmers and their cultural practices in southern Ethiopia. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2014;61:1091-1104.

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar]

4. Olango TM, Tesfaye B, Catellani M, et al. Indigenous knowledge, use and on-farm management of enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) diversity in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2014;10:41.

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

5. Shumbulo A, Gecho Y, Tora M. Diversity, challenges and potentials of enset (Ensete ventricosum) production: In case of Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Food Sci Qual Manag. 2012;7(1974):24-31.

   [Google Scholar]

6. Negash A. Diversity and conservation of enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman) and its relation to household food and livelihood security in South-western Ethiopia. Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherland. 2001.

   [Google Scholar]

7. Garedew B, Ayiza A, Haile B, et al. Indigenous knowledge of enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) cultivation and management practice by Shekicho people, southwest Ethiopia. J Plant Sci. 2017;5(1):6-18.

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar]

8. Yemataw Z, Zeberga A, Yeshitla M, et al. Morphological and use-value-based management of enset, Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman diversity and distribution in Ethiopia: Perspectives for on-farm conservation of crop genetic resources. 3rd International Conference on Neglected and Underutilized Species: For a Food-Secure Africa, 2013, Accra, Ghana. 2016:80-90.

   [Google Scholar]

9. Shank R, Ertiro C. A linear model for predicting Enset plant yield and assessment of Kocho production in Ethiopia. United Nations Development Programme: Emergency Unit for Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 1996.

   [Google Scholar]

10. Fetta N. Diversity and indigenous management of enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman) in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. M.Sc. Thesis, Hawassa University, Awasa, Ethiopia. 2007.

    [Google Scholar]

11. Borrell JS, Biswas MK, Goodwin M, et al. Enset in Ethiopia: A poorly characterized but resilient starch staple. Ann Bot. 2019;123(5):747-766.

    [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

12. Taboge E. Morphological Characterization of Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) Accessions and the Association of Yield with Different Traits. M.Sc. Thesis, Alemaya University, Alemaya, Ethiopia. 1997.

    [Google Scholar]

13. Yemataw Z, Blomme G, Muzemil S, et al. Assessing qualitative and phenotypic trait diversity in Ethiopian enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) landraces. Fruits. 2018;73(6):310-327.

    [Crossref] [Google Scholar]

14. Yitbarek T, Jembere A, Kerebeh H. Characterization and classification of soils of Wolkite University research sites, Ethiopia. Eurasian J Soil Sci. 2018;7(4):292-299

    [Crossref] [Google Scholar]

15. Gerura FN, Meressa BH, Martina K, et al. Genetic diversity and population structure of enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw Cheesman) landraces of Gurage zone, Ethiopia. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2019;66:1813-1824.

    [Crossref] [Google Scholar]

16. Tsegaye A, Struik PC. Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) kocho yield under different crop establishment methods as compared to yields of other carbohydrate-rich food crops. NJAS Wageningen J Life Sci. 2001;49(1):81-94.

    [Crossref] [Google Scholar]

17. Adem A, Kibatu T. On-farm genetic diversity and distribution pattern of Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) cultivars in Gedeo Zone of Ethiopia. J Genet Genom Plant Breed. 2020;4(4):188-197.

    [Google Scholar]

18. Bekele A, Diro M, Yeshitla M. The diversity and associated yield components of enset (Ensete ventricosum) based on its agro-morphological traits from southern Ethiopia. SINET Ethiop J Sci. 2013;36(1):49-54.

    [Google Scholar]

19. Yemataw Z, Muzemil S, Ambachew D, et al. Genome sequence data from 17 accessions of Ensete ventricosum, a staple food crop for millions in Ethiopia. Data Brief. 2018;18:285-293.

    [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

20. Nuraga GW, Feyissa T, Tesfaye K, et al. Phenotypic diversity of enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) landraces used in traditional medicine. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2019;66 (8):1761-1772.

    [Crossref] [Google Scholar]