Collection and ethnobotanical investigation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corchorus</Emphasis> species in Ethiopia: potential leafy vegetables for dry regions |
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Authors: | Solomon Benor Frank R Blattner Sebsebe Demissew Karl Hammer |
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Institution: | (1) Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, 06466 Gatersleben, Germany;(2) Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box, 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;(3) Department of Agrobiodiversity, Institute of Crop Science, Kassel University, 34109 Kassel, Germany |
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Abstract: | Little information is available regarding the biodiversity and potential use of jute (Corchorus species) in Ethiopian agriculture. The present study summarizes species’ occurrence, use, geographical distribution, ecology,
and ethnobotany of Corchorus species in Ethiopia. An ecogeographical study, conducted in the Amhara, Oromia and Gambella Regional States in 2005 and 2008
resulted in the collection of seven different species with more than 100 accessions. The study revealed low similarity in
species composition between the Regional States, indicating that each region has its own unique set of species. Species numbers
are higher in the north-eastern and south-western than the central part of the country. C. aestuans L. and C. tridens L. are restricted to humid lowlands of south-western part of Ethiopia, growing at elevations up to 490 m, whereas, C. urticifolius Wight et Arn., C. trilocularis L. and C. schimperi Cufod. were collected only in the north-eastern part of the country with elevation ranges of 1,380–2,130 m. The only species
collected at a higher elevation (>2,100 m) was C. schimperi Cufod. Farmers’ perception, indigenous knowledge and folk taxonomy of jute species are better in Gambella than the other
studied regions. Although several Corchorus species are reported from Ethiopia, these species are neither cultivated nor popularly used as leafy vegetables. This is
mainly due to lack of awareness or knowledge about the species use, and abundant distribution of the species that allows gathering
of edible leaves with little expenditure of time, labour and other resources. Our results revealed that some species are threatened,
which necessitates highest priority for jute germplasm conservation in the country. In addition, creating public awareness
about the use of jute species as a cheap source of leafy vegetable will play an important role to diversify food sources,
reduce malnutrition, and contribute to household income generation of the farming community. |
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