Traditional enset [Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman] sucker propagation methods and opportunities for crop improvement

Abstract

Introduction - This review focuses on the enset seed systems in Ethiopia and explores opportunities to improve the system. Cultivated enset is predominantly vegetatively propagated by farmers. Reproduction of an enset plant from seed is seldom practiced by farmers and has been reported only from the highlands of Gardula. Seedlings arising from seed are reported to be less vigorous than the suckers obtained through vegetative propagation. Rhizomes from immature plants, between 2 and 6 years old, are preferred for the production of suckers. The average number of suckers produced per rhizome ranges from 40 to 200, depending on soil conditions, cultivar type, size and age of the parent plant, amount of rainfall, land preparation and time of planting. Traditional macro-propagation of enset suckers involves both men and women farmers. Sucker propagation and transplanting activities often contribute to the dissemination or maintenance of pests (e.g., the enset root mealy bug or nematodes) and diseases (e.g., enset bacterial wilt). Conclusion - Macro- and micro-propagation are useful technologies to improve the efficiency of sucker production and to provide clean replacement plants in locations where diseases have affected plantations or to locally multiply newly introduced cultivars for distribution.