Moringa oleifera Lam., a medium sized tree species has gained importance due to its multipurpose usage and well adaptability to dry and hot climates of north-western plains, central India and dry regions of peninsular India. This species is reported in this paper for distribution of diversity and genetic resources value in different parts of the country. Information on diversification in use viz. regional importance has been included to broaden the scope for value addition, identification of potential value and use in plant genetic resource programmes.

‘Drumstick tree’ (Moringa oleifera Lam.): a multipurpose potential species in India

Over the last fifty years there has been a continual reduction in horticultural and agricultural biodiversity of nutritionally important plants, including those of the Solanaceae family. To add to this, the broad range of traditional crops, previously grown on a sustainable scale in some parts of the world, has been replaced by a narrow range of major crops grown as large-scale monocultures. In order to counteract this trend, and to help maintain a broad wealth of genetic resources, conservation is essential. This, in turn, helps to safeguard food security. A taxonomic inventory, covering the diversity of species in a plant group, is an important first step in conservation. The Solanaceae is one of the major plant families providing food species. A survey of the biodiversity, ethnobotany and taxonomy of subfamily Solanoideae was undertaken and is presented here as an inventory of food species. Fifteen genera provide species that are utilised for food across the world. Of these, only four genera contain economically significant cultivated food cropspecies. The majority of these are in the genus Solanum, whilst Capsicum, Physalis and Lycium contribute the remainder of cultivated crop species. These genera and others also comprise species that are semi-cultivated, tolerated as useful weeds, or gathered from the wild.

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Biodiversity of Food Species of the Solanaceae Family: A Preliminary Taxonomic Inventory of Subfamily Solanoideae

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/425019.pdf

Anti-enteric bacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of the seed kernel extract of Mangifera indica Linnaeus against Shigella dysenteriae (Shiga, corrig.) Castellani and Chalmers.

Wild food plants (WFPs) are often highly nutritious but under-consumed at the same time. This study aimed to document the diversity of WFPs, and assess perceptions, attitudes, and drivers of change in their consumption among Minangkabau and Mandailing women farmers in West Sumatra. We applied a mixed-method approach consisting of interviews with 200 women and focus group discussions with 68 participants. The study documented 106 WFPs (85 species), and Minangkabau were found to steward richer traditional knowledge than Mandailing. Although both communities perceived WFPs positively, consumption has declined over the last generation. The main reasons perceived by respondents were due to the decreased availability of WFPs and changes in lifestyle. The contemporary barriers to consuming WFPs were low availability, time constraints, and a limited knowledge of their nutritional value. The key motivations for their use were that they are free and “unpolluted” natural foods. The main drivers of change were socio-economic factors and changes in agriculture and markets. However, the persistence of a strong culture appears to slow dietary changes. The communities, government and NGOs should work together to optimize the use of this food biodiversity in a sustainable way. This integrated approach could improve nutrition while conserving biological and cultural diversity.

https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/9/1240/pdf

Wild food plants and trends in their use: From knowledge and perceptions to drivers of change in West Sumatra, Indonesia

Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is a medium-size agroforestry tree that originated from south Asia, but has become naturalised in many countries globally.  Moringa oleifera has gained importance due to its multipurpose uses and good adaptability to both humid and dry climates. Almost all parts of the plant are used.  The species is considered as a neglected and underutilised as its potential is still not well economically known and valued. This review presents the status and factors responsible for underutilisation of this, otherwise important crop as a basis for formulation of viable development strategies of knowledge on taxonomy, distribution, diverse utilisations, nutritional value, socioeconomic importance, morphological and genetic diversity, domestication, propagation and management of M. oleifera . Knowledge gaps, and research and development avenues are suggested and discussed for improved valorisation. To that purpose, articles were searched in Google Scholar, Web of Science and BioMed Central database with relevant keywords on M. oleifera .  All the articles found, including reviews and peer-reviewed articles were critically read and analysed for inclusion in this review. Findings revealed that the species is one of the most studied and used species with various uses stretching from food and medicinal uses to water purification, biopesticide and production of biodiesel. Findings also highlight high morphological and genetic diversity of the species, which may become a resource for the conservation and the selection of germplasm. However, many aspects of the species are still waiting for further research. Key words: Domestication, economy, genetic resources, Moringa oleifera , nutrition value

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Status and utilisation of Moringa oleifera Lam: A review

The people of Meghalaya are very close to nature, and forests are one of the important natural resources in the state. The tribes of the state largely depend on forests for their livelihood and have acquired a vast knowledge about plant wealth and utilization of forest products. The present communication aims to document the traditional knowledge about wild edible plants used by tribal people of Meghalaya. During present investigation, a total of 249 species of wild edibles belonging to 153 genera and 82 families were inventorised. Among them 129 are trees, 54 shrubs, 37 herbs and 29 climbers. The majority of the species were fruits bearing (125). Some edible plants have great economic value and are highly linked with socio-economic development of tribal communities of the state. A few such species may be introduced in agroforestry systems, which could be potential genetic resources for tree breeding programmes in other areas of the country and also to provide edible plant resources to the communities in addition to creating photosynthetic pool to counter environmental degradation.

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Wild edible plants of Meghalaya, North-east India

Objective To determine the effect of anthropogenic activities on the population structure and regeneration efficacy ofMyrica esculenta (M. esculenta), an ethnomedicinally important tree species in sub-tropical forests of Meghalaya. Methods The population structure and regeneration potential ofM. esculenta were studied by using quadrat method. Results The regeneration status ofM. esculenta was highly influenced by disturbance. Presence of limited number of seedlings in the forest floor denotes the lack of seeds in the forests. The low conversion of seedling into saplings was mainly due to the removal saplings by the indigenous community, who residing in the vicinity of the forest for meeting their requirement of fuel wood. Conclusions The findings of the present study indicate that overexploitation ofM. esculenta may cause threat to extinction from wild. There is an obvious need to explore non timber forest products to a desired pace that will minimize the pressure on a particular species by providing alternative to a species, leading to sustainable utilization of genetic resources.

Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don. - a potential ethnomedicinal species in a subtropical forest of Meghalaya, northeast India.

Indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) has been in use different districts of Meghalaya and it is of different types. In West Khasi hills of district few important ITK is used especially in connection with fish. Besides ITK, bioresources are seen to play an important role in the lives of indigenous communities in Lai Lyngdoh area. The Lai Lyngdoh area in Nongstoin is a group of 34 villages that falls under the jurisdiction of the three Lyngdoh i.e. Marskuin, Nonglwai and Nongkhlaw located in West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. The locals in the area mostly depend on the surrounding environment for their livelihood. From the surrounding forests and forest streams, a variety of minor products are harvested and a number of edibles which include wild fruits, leafy green, wild vegetables, mushroom, fish, frog, crustaceans, tubers and medicinal plants are also gathered. Indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) in the use of bio-resources is still preserved and practised in the indigenous communities and the documentation of local culture and knowledge will play an important role in conservation process. These resources, however, need to be valued and used sustainably so that they can continue to support the community.

Jasmine Therese Sawian

Papers

Wild edible plants of Meghalaya, North-east India

Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don. - a potential ethnomedicinal species in a subtropical forest of Meghalaya, northeast India.

A study of the ITK used in fisheries and Bioresources of Lai Lyngdoh area, West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya