Analysis of indigenous production methods and farm-based biodiversity of amochi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arisaema schimperianum</Emphasis> Schott) in two sub-zones of Southern Ethiopia |
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Authors: | Andargachew Gedebo Maigull Appelgren Asmund Bjornstad Admasu Tsegaye |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences,Norwegian University of Life Sciences,?s,Norway;2.Department of Horticulture,Hawassa University, Awassa College of Agriculture,Awassa,Ethiopia |
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Abstract: | For the first time we report that diverse types of Arisaema schimperianum Schott locally called amochi, are grown and managed as an off-season food crop in Southern Ethiopia. Participatory Rural
Appraisal (PRA) and formal survey studies on 204 households were conducted over two consecutive years (2003–2004) in Chencha
and Dita sub zones of Southern Ethiopia, to identify indigenous production methods and farm based biodiversity of amochi.
Amochi is propagated from seed tubers and tuber parts left in the soil from the preceding harvest and grow during the dry
season, February to June. Average share of proportion in the annual household consumption from amochi tubers was 9% and 4%
for Chencha and Dita respectively. Uncooked amochi is irritating in contact to skin and mouth. Fifteen amochi types were identified
in Dita and 12 in Chencha. They differ in the level of irritation, maturity and yield. Rich farmers with large family size
as a working force, large farm size to support larger number of livestock that is source of farmyard manure, have farms with
larger diversity of amochi than their poor counterparts, suggesting that its diversity is influenced by house hold characteristics
and favoured under relatively fertile soil conditions. In both sub zones women had better experience in identifying amochi
types than men. Further study is needed to identify chemical contents; and genetic variation using morphologic and molecular
traits, in order to develop a strategy to assess and utilise the existing genetic diversity. |
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Keywords: | Amochi Arisaema schimperianum Biodiversity Household characteristics Indigenous production methods |
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