Plant Species Diversity of Home Gardens in El Obeid, Central Sudan

Home gardens are very common in El Obeid, but information about plant species diversity and its significance for household food supply is not available. To analyse this, cultivated plants of 81 home gardens were surveyed. The plants studied in the home gardens included those for human consumption such as fruit trees, wild fruit trees and vegetables. In total, 32 plant species were found in the study gardens. The range of species was found, because irrigation is used under semiarid conditions. However, the lack of continuous sufficient irrigation water is the main factor which prevents an increase in species number and species diversity. In general, home garden products are mainly used as supplemental food in households and not sold on local markets

Korous Khoshbakht & Karl Hammer, 2010: Threatened Crop Species Diversity

Korous Khoshbakht Karl Hammer; 2010Threatened Crop Species DiversityShahid Beheshti University Press, Tehran, xii + 134 pp., 18 tables, 45 figures, ISBN: 964-457-1800Khoshbakht’s and Hammer’s book, published in 2010, deals with crop species diversity, an important part of agrobiodiversity research. Extinction, genetic erosion and the reduction of growing areas of many crops have led to today’s situation in which less than 30 crop species have to secure the nutrition of the human world population.The book starts with a six page preface in which the first fundamental question is raised: What happens and will happen to the living by-products of human evolution, the domesticated plants and animals? Furthermore, the six major problems of studying cultivated plants and their decline are presented. Overall the book consists of two main parts. Each starts with an introduction followed by several chapters.Part 1 encompasses threatened species/red list species among crop plants. The introduction is followed by a comprehensive chapter on extinct crop plants. This chapter comprises aspects of mysterious cases, two case studies of extinct crops (Anacyclus officinarum and Bromus mango), the wheat cluster, other extinct Triticum species, and forgotten crops. The second half of part 1 deals with endangered, vulnerable, rare and indeterminate crops and selected wild relatives of crop plants. It also provides a summary of the families and a discussion of vcrop plants which are extinct in the wild but survive on-farm. Part 1 closes with some aspects of genetic erosion and a final overview and tabular summary. The technical quality of the figures is in some cases limited. Indeed, several figures are reproductions from historical sources with a rather poor quality.Part 2 tackles threatened species/red list species among ornamental plants. It contains a very clear structure with an introduction followed by five chapters on extinct, endangered, vulnerable, rare and indeterminate ornamental plants. In each chapter a list of species and their families is provided. Totally estimated 7,000 crop plants and 28,000 ornamental plants exist, altogether 4,700 species are threatened using the red list approach. Only the scientific names of the species are listed in the book’s index. For readers who are not so familiar with threatened species, details of the plant species on the book cover would have been useful.About 700 species of threatened cultivated plants (incl. ornamentals) are enumerated in this booklet, ten of which can be classified as definitely extinct.This book is an important contribution to the field of agrobiodiversity.It contains a bibliography of 23 pages and provides essential knowledge on the extinction and genetic erosion in cultivated plants. Such works are valuable contributions to understanding and hopefully slowing down the current decline in the numbers of crops and their infraspecific diversity

Homegardens in Uganda. Diversity and Potential

Ugandan homegarden systems are sustainable small-scale solutions for food security and conservation containing a great diversity of native plant species and preserving the associated time-tested traditional knowledge for nutrition and conservation. Furthermore, the people of Uganda have a diversity of uses for these native species. However, these systems and traditions are under threat for a variety of reasons. Organic may hold some of the keys for the revitalization of these oases of diversity and culture. The organic markets in Uganda now sell only a few species but can embrace the great diversity through increasing access to organic markets for more small producers and indigenous plant species

Crop Performance and Yield of Groundnut, Sesame and Roselle in an Agroforesty Cropping System with Acacia senegal in North Kordofan (Sudan)

Crop performance and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogea), sesame (Sesamum indicum) and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) were investigated in an intercropping system with Acacia senegal and compared with sole cropping. The study was conducted in North Kordofan (Sudan) on loamy sand. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with split plots.Crop performance and crop yield of groundnut, sesame and roselle were significantly (p 0.05) reduced in the intercropping system compared to sole cropping. However, yield reduction in groundnut (53%) was much higher than in sesame (6%) and roselle (14%). The reduction in yield of the intercropping plots could be due to the high tree density, which results in water and light competition between the trees and the agricultural crops

Wild Collection and Cultivation of Native Species in Iceland

Based on an MSc thesis submitted to the joint Master program between University of Kassel and University of Goettingen and later published: WHITNEY C.W., GEBAUER J. & ANDERSON M. 2012. A Survey of Wild Collection and Cultivation of Indigenous Species in Iceland. Human Ecology. This paper outlines a survey of Icelanders who use local plants. Some of the species (e.g. Angelica spp. and Betula spp.) were very important. However, great potential exists for a more diverse harvest and for sustainable management (e.g. Organic certification). There is also potential for the spreading native plant use knowledge and the inherent associated conservation culture. The data also suggests that cultural conservation should focus on food, which appears to be paramount in increasing the cultural importance of a plant

Ökophysiologie und Verwendungsmöglichkeiten der Wildobstarten Adansonia digitata und Tamarindus indica im Sudan

Der Baobab (Adansonia digitata) ist ein mächtiger und laubabwerfender Baum, der im Sudan heimisch ist. Neben den Früchten bietet er eine Vielzahl von Verwendungsmöglichkeiten u.a. als Nahrungs- und Heilmittel. Die Tamarinde (Tamarindus indica) ist ein graziöser und immergrüner Baum, der im Sudan verbreitet ist. Die Früchte sind bei der Bevölkerung sehr begehrt. Weiterhin ist er Grundlage für viele Forstprodukte. Im Zentralsudan konnten weitere Wildobstarten identifiziert werden, die zur Sicherung der Nahrungsgrundlage der ländlichen Bevölkerung in den Savannen beitragen. Vor allem im Nordsudan existieren große, potenzielle Agrarflächen, auf denen die Bodenversalzung als limitierender Faktor wirkt. Um Nahrungssicherheit für die zunehmende Bevölkerung zu gewährleisten, erlagen diese marginalen Flächen immer mehr an Bedeutung. Die Gewächshausversuche über einen Zeitraum von 20 Wochen zeigten, dass bei Adansonia digitata-Sämlingen das Wachstum und der Stoffwechsel bereits bei Salzbelastungen von 20 mM NaCl stark beeinflusst wurden. Daher kann diese Art im Sämlingsstadium als sehr salzempfindlich eingestuft werden. Tamarindus indica-Sämlinge tolerierten Salzbelastungen von 40 mM NaCl. Daraus folgt, dass die Tamarinde im Vergleich zu anderen Obstarten im Sämlingsstadium relativ salzverträglich ist. Unter den gegebenen Versuchsumständen ist zu vermuten, dass die Tamarinde eher geeignet scheint für die Kultivierung in salzbelasteten semiariden Gebieten.The Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is a massive, deciduous tree and native to Sudan. Beside its fruits, the Baobab has an exceedingly wide range of uses ranging from food and beverages to medicinal uses. The tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is an aesthetic, evergreen tree and grows wild throughout Sudan. Its fruits are highly appreciated by the people. In addition, the tree provides a diversity of further important forest products. A number of under-utilised species with edible fruits were identified in Central Sudan. Fruits of these indigenous species play an important role in the diet of rural people in the savanna belt, especially during famines and food shortages. Particularly in Northern Sudan there are vast areas of potentially arable land which are affected by salinity to variable degrees. In order to maintain food security for the increasing population, this land is becoming more and more important. The results of the greenhouse experiments over a period of 20 weeks indicate that a salinity level of 20 mM NaCl strongly influences growth and metabolism of Adansonia digitata seedlings. Therefore in the seedling stage the species can be characterised as salt-sensitive. Tamarindus indica seedlings tolerated a salinity level of 40 mM NaCl. This indicates that in the seedling stage tamarind is a fairly salt tolerant tree species compared to other fruit trees. The conclusion of the greenhouse experiments indicates that the tamarind seems to be the more suitable under-utilized fruit tree species for cultivation in semi-arid areas with salinity problems

Effect of different mechanical seed scarification methods on germination and emergence dynamics of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.)

The African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is a multipurpose fruit-producing tree that is indigenous to the African savannahs. Commercial interest in the species has grown in recent years. The major obstacle of seed-based propagation of baobab is its inherent seed dormancy. Therefore, in this study the effects of different mechanical seed scarification methods on seed germination parameters and seedling development of A. digitata were tested. The results show that mechanical scarification had a significant effect on germination and emergence dynamics of A. digitata. The highest total emergence percentage with 61.7% was achieved by scarifying the seeds with a saw on the hilum side. Cotyledon damage due to mechanical scarification occurred in all treatments. Proportions of damage categories depended significantly on treatment. The largest proportion of undamaged cotyledons was with 63.6% achieved by scarifying the seeds with a saw on the hilum side. This precise technique may be suitable for mass propagation of baobab in a rural setting but the effects of scarification methods on seedling emergence should be further investigated

Effect of NaCl Salinity on Growth and Mineral Composition of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd.

Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. is a fruit tree species growing wild in arid and semi-arid areas of Asia and Africa where rural populations intensively use its fruits, leaves, bark and wood. However, little is known about the effects of salinity, a widespread problem in these regions, on early growth and mineral composition of this species. This study was conducted under controlled conditions to contribute to filling this gap. Six weeks old seedlings of Z. spina-christi germinated in a full strength Hoagland solution were subjected to 0, 40, 80 and 160 mM NaCl. Compared to the unstressed control salinity levels of 80 and 160 mM reduced plant height, leaf number, leaf chlorophyll, total leaf area and dry matter by 50%. Salinity levels of 40, 80 and 160 mM enhanced leaf water contents by 14, 16 and 17%, respectively and 160 mM NaCl raised the concentration of Na and Cl ions in leaf tissues 81- and 21-fold. The K/Na ratio, in contrast, was hardly affected by increasing salinity indicating adaptation or tolerance of Z. spina-christi to low or moderate NaCl salinity. These results suggest that Z. spina-christi could be an interesting species for re-vegetation of moderately degraded saline lands

Food and nutrition status of households with homegardens in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan

Sudan is one of the least developed countries and many people particularly in South Kordofan suffer from food insecurity. Food production from homegardens (HG) and wild collections are seen as key elements in strategies to overcome nutrient deficiencies. Food intake 24h-recalls were conducted to evaluate the status quo of households (HHs) and the contribution from four HG and wild collection during three seasons in Sama in South Kordofan, Sudan. Dietary diversity as well as nutrient intake was determined and food samples were taken. On average people consumed 16 food items belonging to eight food groups, which is adequate or higher than reported in other studies. Mean daily intake was 1438 kcal energy, 36 g protein, 182 μg vitamin A, 23 mg vitamin C, 9 mg iron and 5 mg zinc. This indicates a nutrient deficiency, especially in vitamins. Differences between traditional and commercial (marketoriented) HGs were small. Households which considered HGs to be important for their daily life had a better nutrient intake, but less diverse diet than those with a reduced importance of HGs. Thus the perceived importance of the HGs seemed to affect HH nutrition more than the level of their commercialization. In total twelve food items from HGs (mostly green leafy vegetables, high in vitamin A) and seven from the wild (mainly Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd, high in vitamin C) were used within the three weeks interview period. The results show the importance of the HG to HH´s nutrition and also indicate the importance of wild collection for the dietary status of HH in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan

Variation in baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) root tuber development and leaf number among different growth conditions for five provenances in Malawi

The baobab tree is an underutilised indigenous fruit tree in sub-Saharan Africa which, at the same time is vulnerable to overexploitation in areas close to centres of demand, as currently baobab use is limited to wild, baobab trees. Baobab seedlings are known to form root tubers, but little is known about their growth characteristics and its yield potential. This study aims to investigate the root tuber and leaf development of baobab seedlings grown from seeds of five provenances, sown at three different planting distances in two nursery trials at climatically distinct locations in Malawi, namely Mzuzu and Mangochi. The observed yield data was fed into preliminary farm-gate profitability analyses for three different scenarios that differed by planting distance. Results indicate increased growth rates for root dry mass and number of developed leaves with increasing planting distance. However, we did not find a significant effect of seedling provenance on any of the measured plant growth parameters. Seedlings invested mainly into root development during the growth period, with root tubers reaching an average fresh weight of 41 ± 39 g and an average length of 24 ± 11.9 cm at 138 days after sowing. Profitability analyses showed a potential total net benefit of 12.78 USD per harvest cycle of 16 weeks and per 100 m² of land cultivated with baobab root tubers, which was better than an alternative scenario of maize cropping on the same area that showed a negative total net benefit when cost of family labour was included. However, the heterogeneity of root tuber development as affected by abiotic and biotic factors like soil fertility and water availability, as well as genetic origin warrant further investigation