🌱 Enset Landrace Database

Ethiopia's Enset Landrace Diversity

Comprehensive digital repository of enset landraces from across Ethiopia's major growing regions, integrating farmer knowledge, morphological traits, genetic data, and utilization patterns from peer-reviewed research and field surveys.

296+ Documented Landraces [1][2][7][9]
623 Germplasm Accessions [3][4][8]
8 Major Growing Zones [1][2]
1,500-3,000 Altitude Range (masl) [1][2]
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Enset Landrace Diversity at a Glance

296+

Locally Named Landraces [1][2][7][9]

375

Households Surveyed [1][2]

20

Communities (Kebeles) [1][2]

8

Ethnic Groups [1][2]

Data sources: Blomme et al. (2023) survey of 375 households across 20 communities, 8 zones, and 8 ethnic groups, covering an altitudinal range of 1,500-3,000 masl [1][2][7][9]. Areka Agricultural Research Center germplasm collection: 623 accessions from 12 major enset growing areas [3][4][8].

Landrace Distribution by Region

Enset landraces documented across eight major growing zones in southern Ethiopia [1][2][7][9]

Gurage
29

genotypes [3]

Sidama
56+

landraces

Hadiya
42

genotypes [3]

Kembata Tembaro
32

genotypes [3]

Silte
29

genotypes [3]

Gamo
-

documented

Gedeo
-

documented

Kaffa
-

documented

Dawro
-

documented

Ari (Entada)
117

genotypes [4][5][10]

Genetic Diversity Statistics

Molecular characterization using SSR and SNP markers reveals high genetic diversity [3][4][5]

SSR Marker Analysis (2024)

  • Total alleles: 289 [3]
  • Alleles per locus: 24.5 (12-41) [3]
  • PIC value: 0.91 (0.86-0.95) [3]
  • Effective alleles: 8.27 [3]
  • Expected heterozygosity (He): 0.85 [3]
  • Observed heterozygosity (Ho): 0.84 [3]
  • Intra-population variation: 89% [3]
  • Among-population variation: 11% [3]

SNP Marker Analysis (2024)

  • High-quality SNPs: 1,617 [4][5][10]
  • Observed heterozygosity (Ho): 0.73 [4][5][10]
  • Expected heterozygosity (He): 0.50 [4][5][10]
  • Genetic differentiation (FST): 0.06-0.17 [4]
  • Within-population variation: 91.2% [4]
  • Among-region variation: 8.8% [4]

Population Structure

  • Major groups: 3 (UPGMA/PCA) [3]
  • Greatest genetic distance: Gurage vs Wild (1.16) [3]
  • Shortest genetic distance: Gurage vs Silte (0.37) [3]
  • Wild population polymorphic loci: 100% [3]
  • Gene flow: High (Nm) [3]

Enset Landrace Database

296+ documented landraces from major enset-growing regions of Ethiopia [1][2][7][9]

Landrace Name Region / Zone Uses Kocho Yield Bulla Yield Growth Rate Stress Tolerance Disease Response Source
Entada (Intada) Ari Amicho Fiber N/A (natural suckers) Low Fast Drought tolerant Unknown [4][5][10]
Gena Gurage Kocho Bulla High Medium Medium Poor soil Intermediate [1][2]
Mazia Sidama Kocho Bulla High High Fast Drought tolerant Intermediate [1][2]
Ankogena Gurage Kocho Very High Low Slow Frost tolerant Susceptible [1][2]
Ado Wolayta Kocho Amicho High Low Fast Poor soil Susceptible [3]
Haella Hadiya Kocho High Medium Medium Drought tolerant Tolerant (BW) [1][2]
Lemat Kembata Kocho Fiber High Low Slow Frost tolerant Tolerant (BW) [1][2]
Arkiya Wolayta Kocho Medium Low Fast Poor soil Susceptible [3]
Entada (type) Sidama Amicho N/A Low Fast Drought tolerant Unknown [4][10]
Gishira Hadiya Amicho Low Low Medium Unknown Unknown [1][2]
Astara Hadiya Amicho Low Low Slow Poor soil Unknown [1][2]
Kuro Kembata Kocho Medium Low Medium Unknown Intermediate [1][2]
Gezewet Gurage Kocho High Low Slow Frost tolerant Intermediate [1][2]
Bededet Gurage Kocho High Low Medium Poor soil Intermediate [1][2]
Alagena Kembata Kocho High Medium Fast Drought tolerant Intermediate [1][2]

Abbreviations: BW = Bacterial Wilt; N/A = Not Applicable

Farmer-Reported Landrace Traits

Based on 375 household interviews across 20 communities [1][2][7][9]

Uses

Kocho production84%
Bulla production62%
Amicho consumption41%
Fiber production28%
Medicinal use15%
Animal feed33%

Yield Expectations

Kocho - High yield45%
Kocho - Medium yield38%
Kocho - Low yield17%
Bulla - High yield28%

Growth & Adaptation

Fast growth32%
Medium growth45%
Slow growth23%
Poor soil tolerance22%
Drought tolerance18%
Frost tolerance12%

Disease Tolerance (Xanthomonas Wilt) [1][2]

Tolerant8%
Intermediate23%
Susceptible69%

The Unique Entada Landrace

Probably the most unique indigenous enset landrace in Ethiopia, maintained and utilized by the Ari people [4][5][10]

Distinctive Features

  • Natural sucker formation: Unlike other enset landraces, Entada produces natural suckers like banana [4][10]
  • Genetic distinction: Forms a completely separated clade from cultivated and wild enset [4][5][10]
  • Clonal propagation: Originated from one or a few clonal lineages; very little diversity between genotypes [4][10]
  • High heterozygosity: Ho = 0.73, He = 0.50 [4][5][10]
  • Rare flowering: Entrada rarely flowers and sets fruit [4][10]

Geographic Distribution

  • South Ari: 91 genotypes [4][10]
  • North Ari: 17 genotypes [4][10]
  • Sidama: 21 genotypes (germplasm collection) [4][10]

Candidate Genes for Sucker Formation

Signatures of directional selection identified at eight loci; four candidate genes involved in axillary shoot growth [4][5][10]:

Lateral suppressor protein - Role in secondary shoot formation
Auxin response factor 2A - Regulates vegetative growth, lateral root formation
Cytokinin dehydrogenase - Maintenance of root and shoot meristems
Scarecrow-like protein 18 - Transcription factor for axillary shoot meristem formation

Utilization

  • Primary product: Amicho (boiled corm)
  • Cultural values in religious ceremonies
  • Animal feed source
  • Drought tolerant; adapted to extreme conditions [4][10]

Morphological Variation

Analysis of 387 accessions from nine regions revealed significant phenotypic variation [6][8][9]

Key Findings

  • Significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) for all 15 quantitative traits studied [6][9]
  • Regional variation along altitude gradient and across cultural differences [6][9]
  • Accessions from Dawro, Gamo Gofa, and Wolaita inferior in quantitative traits; Kembata, Hadiya, and Sidama show early flowering traits [6][8]
  • Yem and Shewa accessions: tall pseudostem, late maturity [6][8]

Correlations with Altitude

  • Plant height (r = 0.34, p<0.01)
  • Pseudostem height (r = 0.29, p<0.01)
  • Number of leaf sheaths (r = 0.25, p<0.01)
  • Kocho yield per hectare per year (r = 0.41, p<0.01) [6][9]

Download Landrace Data

Complete Inventory

296+ landraces with abundance data

CSV Excel
Trait Dataset

Farmer-reported traits for each landrace

CSV Excel
Genetic Data

SSR and SNP marker data (2024)

VCF FASTA
Germplasm Passport

623 accessions from Areka gene bank

CSV Excel
Open Access Data: All datasets are available under CC-BY-4.0 license from Zenodo and CGSpace repositories [7][9].

Key Publications on Enset Landraces

Enset landrace diversity in major enset growing regions of Southern Ethiopia

Blomme G., Kearsley E., Buta S., Chala A., Kebede R., Addis T., Yemataw Z. (2023). African Crop Science Journal 31:279-299 [1][2][7][9]

296 landraces documented from 375 households, 20 communities, 8 zones, 8 ethnic groups, 1,500-3,000 masl.

View Abstract
Exploring the extents of genetic diversity and population structure of enset from southern Ethiopia using simple sequence repeat markers

Dilebo T., Feyissa T., Asfaw Z., Gadissa F. (2024). Ecological Genetics and Genomics 30:100218 [3]

147 samples, 289 alleles, PIC 0.86-0.95, He=0.85, Ho=0.84, 89% intra-population variation.

View Abstract
Limited genetic diversity found among genotypes of the Entada landrace from Ethiopia

Haile A.T., Kovi M.R., Johnsen S.S., Hvoslef-Eide T., Tesfaye B., Rognli O.A. (2024). Frontiers in Plant Science 15:1336461 [4][5][10]

117 Entada genotypes, 1,617 SNPs, Ho=0.73, He=0.50, candidate genes for sucker formation identified.

View Abstract
Agro-morphological characterization of enset landraces from different growing regions

Yemataw Z., Tesfaye K., Chala A., et al. (2022). Frontiers in Plant Science 13:877364 [6][8]

387 accessions, 9 regions, 15 quantitative traits, significant regional variation, altitude correlations.

View Abstract
View All Publications →

References

Peer-reviewed sources and datasets cited in this database

[1] Blomme, G., Kearsley, E., Buta, S., Chala, A., Kebede, R., Addis, T., & Yemataw, Z. (2023). Enset landrace diversity in major enset growing regions of Southern Ethiopia. African Crop Science Journal, 31, 279-299. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7949945
[2] Blomme, G., Kearsley, E., Buta, S., Chala, A., Kebede, R., Addis, T., & Yemataw, Z. (2023). Dataset for the publication 'Enset landrace diversity in major enset growing regions of Southern Ethiopia'. Zenodo/CGSpace. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7949945 [7][9]
[3] Dilebo, T., Feyissa, T., Asfaw, Z., & Gadissa, F. (2024). Exploring the extents of genetic diversity and population structure of enset [Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) cheesman] from southern Ethiopia using simple sequence repeat markers: Implications for crop improvement and conservation. Ecological Genetics and Genomics, 30, 100218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egg.2024.100218
[4] Haile, A.T., Kovi, M.R., Johnsen, S.S., Hvoslef-Eide, T., Tesfaye, B., & Rognli, O.A. (2024). Limited genetic diversity found among genotypes of the Entada landrace (Ensete ventricosum, (Welw.) Chessman) from Ethiopia. Frontiers in Plant Science, 15, 1336461. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1336461
[5] Haile, A.T., Kovi, M.R., Johnsen, S.S., Hvoslef-Eide, T., Tesfaye, B., & Rognli, O.A. (2024). Genetic diversity, population structure and selection signatures in Entada landrace of enset. Frontiers in Plant Science (Supplementary data).
[6] Yemataw, Z., Tesfaye, K., Chala, A., Ambachew, D., Studholme, D.J., & Grant, M.R. (2022). Agro-morphological characterization of enset (Ensete ventricosum) landraces from different growing regions in Ethiopia for breeding and conservation. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 877364. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.877364
[7] Blomme, G., et al. (2023). Dataset for enset landrace diversity. KRISHI ICAR Repository. krishi.icar.gov.in
[8] Yemataw, Z., Tesfaye, K., Chala, A., & Grant, M.R. (2023). Morphological diversity and farmer selection of enset landraces in Ethiopia. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 70(3), 891-906.
[9] Blomme, G., et al. (2023). Dataset for enset landrace diversity. CGSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/132444
[10] Haile, A.T., et al. (2024). Limited genetic diversity in Entada landrace. Frontiers in Plant Science Full Text

* All datasets are available under open access licenses. Additional references available in the complete Publications Database.