On-Farm Diversity and Management of Enset (Ensete Ventricosum (Welw) Cheeseman) in Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia
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2017-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The Ethiopian highlands are a center of genetic diversity for enset, tef, sorghum, barley and finger millet. Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) belongs to the order Sctaminae, the family Musaceae. The family is subdivided into the genera Musa and Ensete. Enset is an important staple crop for about 20 million of the population of the people living in the densely populated regions of South and Southwestern Ethiopia. The crop is grown in mixed subsistence farming systems, often in association with coffee, multi-purpose trees, and annual food and fodder crops. It is also used for livestock feed, fuel wood, construction materials, containers, and as a provider of shade to intercropped annual or perennial crops. It is cultivated between 1500 and 3100 meters above sea level (m.a.sl), where daily average minimum and maximum temperatures are 8 and 270C, respectively. The survey was aimed at investigating a central hypothesis that the traditional use and management of enset contributes to its conservation. The sampled households varied considerably in resource endowments, demographic and geographic factors. Generally, there were neither any differences between woredas, Kebele Adminstrations (KAs), nor among villages regarding the management and use of enset. Result of the survey revealed that farmers select and characterize Enset clones based on their own criteria and they were able to name 80 distinct enset clones. The number of enset clones maintained on individual farms ranged from 1 to 13 (mean of 5.97 ±1.11). Doyogena with 41 clones had the highest richness and Demboya with 28 clones had the lowest richness; mean richness being 36.66±4.88 clones per zone. Simpson’s D and Shanon-Weaver’s H had a very narrow range; 0.97 and 0.93 with a mean of 0.95 ± 0.01, and 3.46 to 2.91 with a mean of 3.2 ± 0.20, respectively, indicating high level of genetic diversity of Enset in the region. Clone abundance was the highest at Doyogena (7.39) and the lowest for Domboya (4.57). Mean abundance was 5.96±2.19 farms per clone. Out of the 80 clones 28 (35%) were observed at only one woreda and were localized. Eight clones were present at six and had the maximum distribution and abundance. Sorenson’s similarity index has shown that Angacha and Doyogena shared the highest number of clones (27). Doyogena and Kedidagamela, Hadero-Tunto and Kedidagamela also had 22 clones in common and were therefore more similar. Farmers have noted that few clones such as Dirbo, Siskela, and Gishra are replacing previously grown clones due to their resistance to bacterial blight. It was also observed that clones previously known by farmers have been lost due to different reasons, pointing to the genetic erosion going on and the necessity of genetic conservation. Landrace diversity in the region is affected by a number of factors. Enset Xanthomonas is the main factor limiting enset richness and diversity.
We therefore conclude that the existing farmers’ naming, classification be complemented with morphological, biochemical and molecular marker study and maintenance of the creative dynamics of traditional knowledge and transmission of the knowledge are crucial for constructing sustainable management.
Keywords: diversity, enset, Ethiopia, farmers’ varieties
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Keywords
diversity, enset, Ethiopia, farmers’ varieties