43. Gartenbauwissenschaftliche Tagung - (DGG) und des

156
Obstbau
Adaptation of leaf anatomy in enset (Ensete ventricosum)
to climate and variations within landraces
K. Zippel and P. Lüdders
Arbeitsgruppe Obstbau, Institut für Gartenbauwissenschaften,
Landwirtschaftlich-Gärtnerische Fakultät
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3; 14195 Berlin
kzippel@gmx.net
Enset (Ensete ventricosum: Musaceae) shows remarkable adaptation to seasonal climates in
its leaf anatomy. It grows wild in Africa with an altitudinal distribution between 800 m (Angola)
and 2000 m (Eastern Africa), and an average rainfall between 1000 and 1500 mm. Main
cultivation areas are restricted to southern and south-western Ethiopia at 1300 to 3300 meters
in semi-arid to subhumid regions. Farmers cultivate numerous landraces for manifold purposes,
as well as for different requirements of site and climate.
On first sight different landraces vary in their development, and therefore might vary in their
anatomy and their physiology. Field experiments were carried out on leaf anatomy, namely
stomata number, size and distribution, and leaf transverse section. Vegetative propagated
sprouts of 10 landraces and 1 wild type were investigated at two sites in Ethiopia (Debre Zeit,
1850 m, and Addis Ababa, 2350 m). The experiments started in August 1998 and did last until
June 1999. Average temperature and rainfall patterns varied throughout the seasons
(17.1°C, 2805 hours of sunshine, 858.4 mm rainfall in 96.6 days at 1850 m; 16.1°C, 2576
hours, 1127.4 mm in 169.9 days at 2350 m).
Enset shows differences in stomata number, shape and distribution, as well as in the transverse
sections of the leaves. These results are observed as a response to temperature and annual
precipitation patterns under different climatic conditions, and regarding different landraces.
The influence of radiation needs further investigation to evaluate its role in leaf anatomy.
Results allow grouping of landraces into three groups (tropical, subtropical and intermediate).
Anatomical adaptations of the leaves include succulent properties that allow cultivation
on semi-arid conditions and are one explanation of the wide distribution of enset cultivation in
southern and south-western Ethiopia among different climates and altitudes.
BHGL – Tagungsband 24/2006