Research Article Open Access

The Ethno Botanical Study and Distribution Patterns of Enset Landraces (Ensete ventricosum (Welw) Cheesman) in Aleta Chuko District, Sidama Zone, South Nation Nationality People and Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw) Cheesman) is the most widely used staple food crop for millions of people living in South and South western Ethiopia. The ethno botanical study and the extent of distribution such as enset at local level remain very limited. Therefore, the objective of this study is to present a comprehensive ethno botanical description and distribution pattern on enset landraces in Aleta Chuko district. Accordingly, the study was conducted on distribution patterns and ethno botanical study of enset landraces in 125 randomly selected households at five different Kebeles (the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia) in the South nation nationality people and regional state, Aleta Chuko district of Ethiopia. Abundance and distribution patterns of enset landraces were positively correlated such that more abundant landraces were also more distributed (r=0.7, p<0.01). In addition to this, it was found that enset landraces had socioeconomic significance serving as food, source of income, medicinal value and ritual/religious significance in Aleta Chuko district. The myths and song in relation to enset plant were well investigated. The result from this study showed that distribution, composition and abundance of enset landraces varied along the study Kebeles. These variations largely depend on elevation, Climate, precipitation, availability of sucker, good management and presence of organic fertilizer (animal dung).

Assefa AS* and Fitamo D

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