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Ethnobotanical investigation and diversity of Gbolo (Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore and Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore), a traditional leafy vegetable under domestication in Benin

  • Notes on Neglected and Underutilized Crops
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Abstract

Thirty five villages randomly selected across ethnic and agro-ecological zones of Benin were surveyed to document the indigenous knowledge associated with the domestication (bringing into cultivation), production and utilization of vegetable Gbolo (Crassocephalum spp.). The study revealed the existence of different morphotypes (1–4 per village) corresponding to two botanical species (Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore) and (Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore) found unequally distributed throughout the country. The domestication (bringing into cultivation from the wild) of Gbolo was started in many villages and with some tribes in southern Benin, the vegetable is already being produced in sole cropping for commercial purposes. Regular consumption (49.90 % of responses) and scarcity (20.30 % of responses) were the two main reasons attributed by the interviewees for domestication of the vegetable. The cultural practices recorded were of five categories. The commonest cropping system found was mixed or inter-row cropping (92.31 % of producers) with either vegetable crops (53.85 % of producers) or non-vegetable crops (38.46 % of users). Sauce prepared with either fresh or dried leaves was the main type of preparation of Gbolo and the vegetable was reported to possess special nutritional and medicinal values. For further promotion, important researches directions are suggested.

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Acknowledgments

This research was sponsored by the government of Benin through the Scientific Council of the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC). We express our sincere thanks to all the women’s groups and the agricultural extension personnel who collaborated very diligently with us during the survey. Special thanks are also due to Dr. Gabriel Orkwor (National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Nigeria) and to the anonymous reviewers for their suggestions and constructive criticisms. We express our gratitude to our colleagues Dr. A. Eteka and K. Adeoti (University of Abomey-Calavi) who, in one way or another, lent us their support during the entire study.

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Adjatin, A., Dansi, A., Eze, C.S. et al. Ethnobotanical investigation and diversity of Gbolo (Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore and Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore), a traditional leafy vegetable under domestication in Benin. Genet Resour Crop Evol 59, 1867–1881 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-012-9901-z

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