Ethnobotany and Germplasm Collection of Two Genera of Cocoyam (Colocasia [Schott] and Xanthosoma [Schott], Araceae) in Edo State Nigeria
Journal Title: STAR Journal - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Ethnobotany describes the realm between human interactions with plant in their environment. Colocasia [Schott] and Xanthosoma [Schott] (Araceae) are important staples in Nigeria. This study aims to document the traditional knowledge base of these crops amongst tribes in Edo state. Using random stratified sampling technique, fifty respondents were selected and primary data obtained through semi structured questionnaire. Fifty-four cocoyam (61.11 % Xanthosomaand and 38.89 % Colocasia) germplasm were collected and documented. Respondents were mostly between 41-50 years (29.63 %) while farming (33.33 %) is the dominant occupation. The dominant ethnic groups encountered were Bini (22.22 %) and Esan (25.93 %). Status of cocoyam collected was 94.44 % and 5.55 % for cultivated and wild respectively. Local names were significant with over twenty recorded. Food use (94.26 %) is higher than non-food use (5.74 %). Use for medicine is the dominant non-food use. Preference is related to uses, adaptation and palatability. More study is recommended to characterize these germplasm.
Authors and Affiliations
Osawaru M. E| Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Abuja FCT, Nigeria, Ogwu, M. C| Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP9678
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/star.v3i3.4
- Views 358
- Downloads 16
Evaluation of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Breeding Lines for Yield and Yield Related Characters in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia
A total of thirty-six bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding lines were evaluated for yield and yield related traits at high and midland environments of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, western Ethiopia during 2013 croppin...
On-farm Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Chicken and their Production System in Bench Maji Zone, South Western Ethiopia
Knowledge and understanding of the chicken production system, unique characteristics, opportunities and constraints are important in the design and implementation of indigenous chicken based development programs. The ind...
Occurrence of Gastrointestinal Helminths in rabbits with special Reference to Importance of Giardia spp. as Parasitic Zoonoses
The aim of this study was to detect Giardia spp. as zoonotic helminth as Giardiosis has been recognised as the one of the important parasitic diarrhoea among children as cross transmission may occur between human and r...
Forest Carbon Stocks and Variations along Altitudinal Gradients in Egdu Forest: Implications of Managing Forests for Climate Change Mitigation
The role of forests in mitigating the effect of climate change depends on the carbon sequestration potential and management. Although a number of studies have been done on carbon stock estimations, the influence of env...
Household Fertilizers Use and Soil Fertility Management Practices in Vegetable Crops Production: The Case of Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
Large areas of farms are covered by variety of vegetable crops in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. With a view to improve current vegetable production fertilizer use efficiency, survey has been conducted through co...