Abstract
A field study was conducted on ‘enset’ propagation at Humbo, Wolayta. The experiments of this study were executed with the objectives of determining size of whole corms and corm pieces for better sucker production. Five whole corm sizes (0.75, 3, 7, 11and15 kg), five bigger (0.8, 1.75, 2.3, 3.5 and 4.6) and three smaller (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 kg) corm pieces, three corm piece positions (lower, middle and top) of horizontal cut. There were significant (p<0.01) differences among corms and corm pieces in the number of suckers. Whole corms with 7 kg gave the highest number of suckers; similarly, corm pieces with 3.5 kg. The mean number of suckers produced ranged from 9.5-28.4 for whole corms, 3.7-38.1 for corm piece. There was no positive and significant relationship between total number of suckers and growth. Many of the other growth parameters are associated with each other. The highest sucker number was recorded using corms of 7 kg corm and 3.5 kg corm pieces.
 
 Significant variations among corms and corm pieces in the number of suckers formed, with whole corms, corms with 7 and 3 kg weights scored the highest number of suckers. With corm pieces, those with 3.5, 4.6, and1.75 kg sizes scored the highest sucker numbers. Compared for whole corms, corm pieces gave the greatest overall number of suckers.
 The size of corms and corm pieces had a significant effect on leaf width and leaf length; and sucker height, pseudostem length leaf width, leaf length and leaf number respectively.
 
 The position of the corm from which pieces were taken affected their regeneration capacity. Corm pieces from the apical end of the corm were able to regenerate.
Highlights
Enset (Ensete Ventricosum Welw.) is a perennial herbaceous and monocotyledonous crop, which is cultivated for its economic as well as cultural importance in Ethiopia
The study was conducted at Humbo Woreda, which is located in Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Regional State (SNNPRS) of Wolayta administrative zone
Suckers on damaged corms emerged after eight weeks of planting
Summary
Enset (Ensete Ventricosum Welw.) is a perennial herbaceous and monocotyledonous crop, which is cultivated for its economic as well as cultural importance in Ethiopia. Enset is named ''Koba'' in none ''Enset'' culture area (Mahtzun and Yewelsew, 1994). Ensete ventricosum was previously cultivated only in the south and south-western parts of Ethiopia, but recurrent droughts have led to the expansion of enset cultivation to other parts of the country. The corm, with some basal portion of pseudostem, is utilized for propagation of enset through induction of suckers (Mulugeta et al, 1996). The traditional practice of enset propagation involves uprooting of corms and destroying the growing point to induce suckers. Corms of immature plant of about four years old are used. They scrape out the central part of the corm, until the growing bud removed. Soil, animal manure and house refuse are placed on top of the planted corm (Admasu, 2002)
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