In-vitro propagation of multi-use enset [Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman] landraces using bulla as gelling agents

Enset is a perennial, multipurpose crop that is cultivated and consumed in Ethiopia. Nowadays, its traditional propagation systems face a challenge due to biotic and abiotic factors. Thus, shoot tip culture can be very advantageous for the quick multiplication of healthy plantlets to secure the conservation as well as propagation of the enset crop. Therefore, this study was designed to develop an efficient micro-propagation protocol for three popular multi-use enset genotypes by using locally available bulla and agar as gelling agents separately. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in a factorial arrangement. About 1.0 cm long shoot tips were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 to 6 mg/l of BAP separately or in combination with IAA. It was found that the 8% (w/v) enset bulla was ideal and provided significant figures in the number and length of shoots and roots per shoot and also early initiation of shoots and roots when compared with 0.6% (w/v) agar-gelled MS media. MS medium containing 2.0–3.0 mg/l BAP was the appropriate concentration for in-vitro shoot induction and growth. The presence of 5.0 mg/l BAP alone, and 5.0 mg/l BAP in combination with 1.0 mg/l IAA was suitable for multiple shoot induction, whereas, 2.0 mg/l IBA and 1.0 mg/NAA separately were found to be the optimum concentration for root induction and development. Thus, bulla in addition to its alternative gelling potential with low cost has potential play an essential role in the rapid production and conservation of enset with desirable traits and disease-free plantlets for farmers.