Showing papers in "Economic Botany in 1999"
TL;DR: There was a relationship between the decline of Amazonian Amerindian populations and the loss of their crop genetic heritage after contact and this relationship was influenced by the crop’s degree of domestication, its life history, the degree of landscape domestication where it was grown, the number of human societies that used it, and its importance to these societies.
Abstract: There may have been 4–5 million people in Amazonia at the time of European contact. These people cultivated or managed at least 138 plant species in 1492. Many of these crop genetic resources were human artifacts that required human intervention for their maintenance, i.e., they were in an advanced state of domestication. Consequently, there was a relationship between the decline of Amazonian Amerindian populations and the loss of their crop genetic heritage after contact. This relationship was influenced by the crop’s degree of domestication, its life history, the degree of landscape domestication where it was grown, the number of human societies that used it, and its importance to these societies. Amazonian crop genetic erosion probably reflects an order of magnitude loss and the losses continue today.
344 citations
TL;DR: Following predictions of island biogeography theory, a lower diversity of medicinal plants cited in islands compared to continental communities is found and diversity indices are used to evaluate the use of plants and to compare communities.
Abstract: Caicaras are inhabitants of the Atlantic Forest coast in SE Brazil. We studied the uses of plants by five Caicara communities and compared medicinal plant citations by informants in coastal and island communities. We use diversity indices to evaluate the use of plants and to compare communities. There is a high diversity of plants used in the Atlantic Forest coasts: we found 276 species used for food, medicine and construction. Caicaras rely on folk medicine, and medicinal plants were especially cited in interviews. Following predictions of island biogeography theory, we found a lower diversity of medicinal plants cited in islands compared to continental communities.
297 citations
TL;DR: This paper explores how the cultural novelty of noni, in conjunction with its equivocal pharmacology, contribute to its explosive market success in contemporary Hawai’i, and worldwide.
Abstract: Research on the use of plants and other complementary medicines in Hawai’i drew our attention toMorinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae). Noni, as it is commonly known, is representative of both currently popular medicinal plants in Ha-wai’i and the pharmacopoeias of traditional cultures of this poly ethnic population. It is also prominent among the increasing number of botanicals currently promoted by the “herbal” and “health foods/supplements” industry. Noni is unique in view of the large number of medical indications that characterize claims for its efficacy, the little that is known about its pharmacologic potential compared with other popularly used botanicals, and its rapidly evolving commercial success. This paper explores how the cultural novelty of noni, in conjunction with its equivocal pharmacology, contribute to its explosive market success in contemporary Hawai’i, and worldwide.
148 citations
TL;DR: The bark of the tree Quillaja saponaria, indigenous to Chile, is one of the major sources of industrially used triterpenoid saponins as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The bark of the tree Quillaja saponaria, indigenous to Chile, is one of the major sources of industrially used triterpenoid saponins. For decades quillaja extracts have been used as foaming agents in beverages, emulsifiers in foods, wetting agent in photography, etc. Overexploitation of the bark has caused important ecological damage and a shortage of this resource. However, this can still be remedied by using whole quillaja wood (and not just the bark), for the production of saponins. This raw material can be obtained in large quantities from pruning operations, reducing the need to fell trees. This review covers ecological aspects of quillaja exploitation, as well as a discussion of its novel industrial applications.
142 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) dates on charcoal associated with Phaseolus in archaeological sites, in Mexico and Peru indicated the presence of domesticated beans as early as 10, 000 years ago.
Abstract: Beans of several species were domesticated in tropical America thousands of years ago, to be combined with maize and other crops in highly successful New World agricultural systems. Radiocarbon dates on charcoal associated with Phaseolus in archaeological sites, in Mexico and Peru indicated the presence of domesticated beans as early as 10 000 years ago. However, direct dates on the beans and pods themselves by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) do not provide evidence for the cultivation in Mexico of common beans, P. vulgaris, and teparies, P. acutifolius, before about 2500 B.P. in the Tehuacan Valley, and of common beans about 1300 years ago in Tamaulipas and 2100 years ago in the Valley of Oaxaca. AMS dates support the presence in the Peruvian Andes of domesticated common beans by about 4400 B.P. and lima beans by about 3500 B. P. and lima beans by about 5600 B.P. in the coastal valleys of Peru. The late appearance of common and lima beans in the Central Highlands of Mesoamerica supports the importance of missing evidence that may be obtained from prehistoric agricultural sites in western Mexico and in Central America which are located within the range of the wild populations of these species. Additionally, biochemical studies of subsamples of the dated specimens should be carried out in order to extend the molecular evidence for the independent domestication of North and South American common beans.
141 citations
TL;DR: The relationship between probable indigenous human population density and resultant agricultural intensification and crop diversity is used to propose the existence of a mosaic of crop genetic resource concentrations in Amazonia at contact, including two centers of diversity, four outlying minor centers, and five regions of diversity.
Abstract: Fifty seven percent of the 138 cultivated plant species present in Amazonia at contact probably originated in the Amazon Basin and another 27% originated in lowland northern South America. The relationship between probable indigenous human population density and resultant agricultural intensification and crop diversity is used to propose the existence of a mosaic of crop genetic resource concentrations in Amazonia at contact, including two centers of diversity, four outlying minor centers, and five regions of diversity. This methodology is extrapolated to present a synthesis of South American crop genetic biogeography at contact.
126 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a documentation of the current indigenous medical uses of 320 species in three Yucatec Maya communities during 18 months of fieldwork is presented. But the authors focus on the use of these species in medicine.
Abstract: Medical Ethnobotany of the Yucatec Maya: Healers’ Consensus as a Quantitative Criterion. Economic Botany 53(2):144–160, 1999. There is an urgent need to obtain information on the relative importance of a taxon used medicinally as compared to others within the same culture. This was achieved through a documentation of the current indigenous medical uses of 320 species in three Yucatec Maya communities during 18 months of fieldwork. The 1549 individual reports documented were divided into nine groups, which classify indigenous uses. The frequency of usage of the individual plants reported was employed in the analysis of the ethnobotanical importance of the respective taxa. Species cited more frequently in a group of indigenous uses are regarded to be of greater ethnobotanical importance than those cited only by a few informants. In order to obtain information on possible biological, pharmacological and toxicological effects of some particularly important species, the scientific literature on these taxa was evaluated systematically. The study is the basis for phytochemical and pharmacological evaluations of the traditional uses.
122 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied three villages in the Peruvian Amazon in which homegardens were studied and found that tourism had the greatest impact on species composition, diversity and use of plants in home gardening.
Abstract: Homegardens represent a traditional form of land use common in tropical regions of the world Species composition, structure and function of homegardens may be influenced by ecological, socio-economic and cultural factors The three villages in the Peruvian Amazon in which homegardens were studied differed in terms of cultural background, distance to urban markets and the influence of tourism Data were collected on species composition, abundance and use of plants in the homegardens Comparison of the three villages revealed that tourism had the greatest impact on species composition, diversity and use of plants in homegardens
110 citations
TL;DR: A study of the traditional gathered food plants in the upper valley of the Serchio river (Garfagnana), Lucca Province, north-west Tuscany, central Italy, was carried out as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A study of the traditional gathered food plants in the upper valley of the Serchio river (Garfagnana), Lucca Province, north-west Tuscany, central Italy, was carried out One hundred thirty-three species (including fungi), belonging to 48 families, were encountered The geographical isolation of the valley and the survival of old gastronomic traditions have permitted a rich popular knowledge to be main-tained In particular, the tradition of preparing in springtime a characteristic vegetal soup (minestrella) based on about forty wild vegetables in a very restricted area of the valley might be correlated with influences of pre-Roman civilisations An uncommon specific food utilization ofBryonia dioica andPrunus laurocerasus as well as the consumption in some districts ofFagus sylvatica seeds,Taxus baccata andCrocus napolitanus fruits as snacks and the very common use ofClematis vitalba shoots seem to demonstrate a well established tradition to use unpalatable vegetal sources Ethnopharmacological aspects of the consumption of these species are discussed
92 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present ecological and ethnobotanical descriptions of two permanent 1-ha plots located in Amazonian forest near two Tacana communities situated in the Iturralde Province, Department of La Paz of northwestern Bolivia.
Abstract: We present ecological and ethnobotanical descriptions of two permanent 1-ha plots located in Amazonian forest near two Tacana communities situated north and west of the Madidi National Park in the Iturralde Province, Department of La Paz of northwestern Bolivia We interviewed 13 Tacana men and women to identify and enumerate uses of all of the trees, palms, and lianas ≥ 10 cm dbh in these plots Of the 185 species found in both plots, 115 species are used by the Tacana: 59 species for construction, 9 as sources of fiber, 33 for technology and crafts, 66 as firewood, 32 for food or water, 40 for medicine, 8 for hunting or fishing, 9 for commercial purposes, and 11 for miscellaneous uses Sixty-four percent of useful species had multiple uses This utilization of the forest corresponds with that of other Amazonian indigenous groups and shows a high reliance on the forest for vegetative materials, especially medicine, technology and crafts, and construction
82 citations
TL;DR: The role of traditional farmers in the maintenance of sorghum landrace diversity in north Shewa and south Welo regions of Ethiopia is confirmed, because it was significant after statistically correcting for the effects of the environmental variables.
Abstract: We quantitatively examined the relationships between Sorghum landrace diversity at the field level and environmental factors and farmers’ selection practices in north Shewa and south Welo regions of Ethiopia. Surveys were conducted on 260 randomly selected farmers’ fields. The altitude and size of each field were recorded. Sorghum plants at 5 m intervals along transect lines spaced 10 m apart over each field were identified by the farmers and the owner of each field was asked why she/he decided to grow each plant. Soil samples were collected from all of the fields and analyzed for pH, organic content, and sand, silt and clay content. Simple and polynomial regressions and multiple regression analyses showed that Sorghum landrace diversity at the field level had significant relationships with the number of selection criteria used by the farmers, field altitude, field size, pH and clay content. As the number of selection criteria increased, landrace diversity in the fields increased. This relationship was not a result of the correlation between selection criteria and the environmental factors, because it was significant after statistically correcting for the effects of the environmental variables. This study quantitatively confirms the role of traditional farmers in the maintenance of sorghum landrace diversity in north Shewa and south Welo regions of Ethiopia.
TL;DR: Rodov et al. as mentioned in this paper performed antifungal compounds of lemon fruit: citral and its relation to disease resistance, and showed that lemon grass gel activity against plant pathogenic fungi.
Abstract: Rodov, V., S. Ben-Yehoshua, D. Q. Fant, J. J. Kim, and R. Ashkenazi. 1995. Preformed antifungal compounds of lemon fruit: citral and its relation to disease resistance. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 43:1057-1061. Saks, Y., and R. Barkai-Golan. 1995. Aloe vera gel activity against plant pathogenic fungi. Postharvest Biology and Technology 6:159-165. Shirkey, W. K. 1996. Smelly, fermented noni finding new adherents. Honolulu Advertiser 23 September: B6. Simoons, F. J. 1991. Food in China. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. State of Itawai'i . 1992. Hawai'i Poison Center Report. Honolulu: State Department of Health. Stewart, M. 1972. Noni: The Lore of Hawaiian Medicinal Plants. Bulletin of the Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden 11(2):37-39. Suaeyun, R., T. Kinouehi, H. Arimoehi, U. Vinitketumnuen, and Y. Ohnishi. 1997. Inhibitory effects of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf) on formation of azoxymethane-induced DNA adducts and aberrant crypt foci in the rat colon. Carcinogenesis 18:949-955. Supreme Health. 1998. Website. URL:http:// www.supremehealth.com/noni_animals.html. TenBruggencate, J. 1992. Native plants can heal your wounds. Honolulu Sunday Star-Bulletin and Advertiser 9 February. . 1998. Stinky noni proves to be useful plant. Honolulu Advertiser 6 April. V~isquez, B., G. Avila, and B. Esealante. 1996. Antiinflammatory activity of extracts from Aloe vera gel. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 55:69-75. Vinitketkumnuen, U., R. Puatanachokehai, P. Kongtawelert, N. Lertprasertsuke, and T. Matsushima. 1994. Antimutagenicity of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf) to various known mutagens in salmonella mutation assay. Mutation Research 341:71-75. Whistler, W. A. 1992. Polynesian Herbal Medicine. National Tropical Botanical Garden. Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Wise, J. H. 1938. The medicine of the old Hawaiians. Honolulu Star Bulletin 22 January. Yamaguchi, I., N. Mega, and H. Sanda. 1993. Components of the gel of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 57: 1350-1352. Younos, C., R. Allain, J. Fleurentin, M. Lanhers, R. Mislin, and F. Mortier. 1990. Analgesic and behavioural effects of Morinda citrifolia. Planta Medica 56:430-434. Yun, T.-K. 1996. Experimental and epidemiological evidence of the cancer-preventive effects of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. Nutrition Reviews 54:$71$81.
TL;DR: The first systematic study of Rama ethnobotanymythology was conducted by as mentioned in this paper, where a total of 249 plant species, in 190 genera and 78 families, were documented as useful.
Abstract: Ethnobotany of the Rama of Southeastern Nicaragua and Comparisons with Miskitu Plant Lore. The Rama are one of the three Amerindian groups of eastern Nicaragua. This is the first systematic study of Rama ethnobotany. A total of 249 plant species, in 190 genera and 78 families, were documented as useful. Included are 190 species used as medicinals, 80 as food plants, and 99 for other uses. The ethnobotanical lore of two distinct indigenous groups, the Rama and Miskitu, were compared. Out of 249 species used by the Rama, 171, or 69%, were used by both groups, and 78 unique species were used by the Rama. These results have important implications for the understanding of ethnobotany as they demonstrate how unrelated indigenous groups sharing the same ecosystem, though separated by some physical distance, can have significantly similar ethnobotanical lore.
TL;DR: Comparisons of plant use between the Ulwa and southern Miskitu indicated that most of the species used for food, medicinals, and medicinal applications are the same, presumably due to their larger territory.
Abstract: The Sumu (Ulwa) are one of three Amerindian groups of eastern Nicaragua. Their uses of 225 species of plants in 174 genera and 72 families were documented in two years of fieldwork. Included are 187 medicinals, 69 food plants, and 84 for other uses. Ulwa medicinals treat more than 25 human ailments, and most (80%) are native to eastern Nicaragua. Over 70% of the medicinals have a recognized bioactive principle, most are herbs (48%) or trees (33%). Leaves are the most frequently utilized plant part. Most medicinals are prepared as decoctions and are administered orally. Almost half of Ulwa food plants are domesticates, but only six are native to the New World tropics. Comparison of plant use between the Ulwa and southern Miskitu indicated that most of the species used for food (98%), medicinals (90%), and medicinal applications (80%) are the same. The Miskitu use more species, have a wider range of medicinal applications, and more unique plant uses than the Ulwa, presumably due to their larger territory. Differences in ethnobotanical usage between these groups seem to be more a reflection of scale than of remnants of cultural differences.ResumenLos Sumu (Ulwa) constituyen uno de los tres grupos Amerindios del oriente Nicaragüense. Durante dos años de estudios se documentaron los usos por éste grupo de 225 especies vegetales en 174 géneros y 72 familias. Incluyendo 187 especies medicinales, 69 especies alimenticias y 84 especies para usos auxiliares. Las plantas medicinales de los Ulwa tratan más de 25 enfermedades y la mayoría (80%) son especies nativas del oriente Nicaragüense. Más del 70% de las especies medicinales poseen algún principio bioactivo; la mayoría son hierbas (48%) o árboles (33%). Las hojas son las partes más frecuentemente utilizadas en remedios y son preparados en forma de decocciónes y administradas oralmente. Las plantas comestibles en su mayoría son domesticadas, solamente seis son nativas del neotrópico. Comparaciones de las plantas usadas por los Ulwa y Miskitu demuestran que la mayoria de las especies usadas como alimentos (98%), medicinas (90%) y aplicaciones medicinales (80%) son iguales. Los Miskitu usan un mayor número de especies, con un mayor rango de aplicaciones medicinales y mas usos singulares de plantas que los Ulwa, presumiblemente debido a su territorio mas extenso. Diferencias etnobotánicas parecen ser mas bien consecuencia de escala y no vestigios de diferencias culturales. We dedicate this paper to Charles B. Heiser who has inspired so many to study the relationships between plants and people.
TL;DR: The results indicate that haplotype III is predominant in wild soybean of Japan, and the plants having haplotype I appear to be either derivatives of hybridization between wild and cultivated soybeans or relics of a direct progenitor of soybean cultivars with the haplotypes I chloroplast genome.
Abstract: Wild soybeans collected in Japan were surveyed for RFLPs of chloroplast DNA. Three haplotypes were detected in RFLPs with a cpDNA clone which contains a LSC region adjacent to the left member of IR. Most of the plants tested possessed haplotype III, and a few plants, collected mostly in southern Japan, had haplotype II. Haplotype I, which is the predominant form in modern cultivars, was detected at six sites from four widely separated regions. Our results indicate that haplotype III is predominant in wild soybean of Japan. Some of the plants having haplotype I were phenotypically intermediate between wild and cultivated soybeans, while the others possessed a seed morphology and plant architecture typical of ordinary wild soybean. The plants having haplotype I appear to be either derivatives of hybridization between wild and cultivated soybeans or relics of a direct progenitor of soybean cultivars with the haplotype I chloroplast genome.
TL;DR: A list of 123 different fruits is presented, which includes the folk names used by Dai, Hani, Bulang, Jinuo, and others; distribution; uses and the nutritional contents of 52 different species.
Abstract: The climate of Yunnan province ranges from humid tropical to subtropical. Wild edible fruits form an important dietary component of the ethnic groups in the south of Yunnan Province, which is famous for its rich diversity in both biological resources and ethnic culture, and A list of 123 different fruits is presented, which includes the folk names used by Dai, Hani, Bulang, Jinuo, and others; distribution; uses and the nutritional contents of 52 different species (edible part percentage, moisture, total sugar, titratable acid, vitamin C, crude fat, crude fiber, starch, and soluble tannin).
TL;DR: The mushrooms Clavaria coralloides and Boletus loyus proved to be the best protein sources in the authors' survey, but deficient in the amino acids methionine and cysteine, as well as the aminodcidos esenciales metionina and cisteina.
Abstract: The proximate composition and biological activity of food plants and mushrooms gathered by Chilean Amerindians were assessed. The gathered plants served primarily as sources of carbohydrates with highest values for Dioscorea tubers, Prosopis alba pods meal and Bromus catharticus seeds. The mushrooms Clavaria coralloides and Boletus loyus proved to be the best protein sources in our survey, but deficient in the amino acids methionine and cysteine. Some extracts of the plants and mushrooms under study showed biological activity as free radical scavengers, enzyme inhibitors, hypotensive or DNA binding effect. Free radical scavenging activity was detected in Cryptocarya alba fruit extract, while Typha angustifolia showed a strong DNA binding effect at 0.50 mg/ml. Methanolic extracts of the Apiaceae species Sanicula graveolens and Apium australe were moderately active as β-glucuronidase inhibitors at 50 fig/ml.
TL;DR: In this article, a field survey was undertaken to identify uses, management, and farmers' improvement objectives and to quantify, at the farm-level, the economic potential of Dacryodes edulis.
Abstract: Dacryodes edulis is one of the most preferred tree species by farmers in the humid lowlands of Cameroon. The fruit of the species figures prominently in cross-boundary trade between Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon. Although there exist empirical data on the volume of trade of the fruit at this level, no data are available at the farm level. A field survey was undertaken to identify uses, management, and farmers’ improvement objectives and to quantify, at the farm-level, the economic potential of the species. The results of the survey indicate thatD. edulis is widely planted and found mainly in tree crop fields and in home gardens. The fruit is highly consumed and traded. The farm-level value of fruit production reaches $US161 a year per grower or collector. The dead branches of the species are used as firewood and its bark is used as medicine. Desired improvement objectives include increased fruit size, good tasting fruit, high yield and reduced time to bearing.
TL;DR: Results indicate that the Indo-Aryas knew only a handful of cucurbits before entering the Indian subcontinent from the west and learned of at least 11 more species from their neighbors in India, who were speakers of Dravidian or Munda languages.
Abstract: Vedic and early post-Vedic Sanskrit works describe Indo-Aryan life in northern India during 2000–200 B.C. Wild and cultivated plants of the Cucurbitaceae played an important role in Indo-Aryan food, medicine, and culture; over 300 words describing cucurbits are found in the Sanskrit texts. These words, their etymological relationships, and the geographies of the cucurbit taxa were compared. Results indicate that the Indo-Aryas knew only a handful of cucurbits before entering the Indian subcontinent from the west. They learned of at least 11 more species from their neighbors in India, who were speakers of Dravidian or Munda languages.
TL;DR: Recommendations are made for a better control of salep trade, for reducing the use of genuine salep and for better protection of orchid populations in Turkey.
Abstract: The use of salep (ground orchid bulbs) has a long history in Turkey. The analysis of its trade revealed that it is still used there as medicine, drink and as binder in so- called Maras Ice cream. Substitutes, however, increasingly enter the market. Export figures unfortunately do not distinguish between true salep and substitutes. The officially recorded Turkish export of 75 100 kg salep in 1993 almost certainly refers more to substitutes than to true salep. Major countries of destination are Germany, the Netherlands, and northern Cyprus. Drug importers in Germany have imported true salep for medicinal purposes for years, CITES documents were not applied for and not issued. Five medicines containing true salep could be identified on the German market for medicinal products. It is estimated that about 10–20 million orchid bulbs are collected annually in Turkey. Information to the impact of such a harvest on the population status on the species concerned are somehow contradictory. Recommendations are made for a better control of salep trade, for reducing the use of genuine salep and for better protection of orchid populations in Turkey.
TL;DR: Standardized morphological descriptions, quantitative phytochemical analyses (HPLC) of major kavalactones and DNA fingerprinting (AFLP) were utilized to define the extent of variation existing between Hawaiian cultivars of Piper methysticum.
Abstract: Standardized morphological descriptions, quantitative phytochemical analyses (HPLC) of major kavalactones and DNA fingerprinting (AFLP) were utilized to define the extent of variation existing between Hawaiian cultivars of Piper methysticum. For each cultivar, morphotypes and chemotypes were compared to their respective genotypes. Overall, 63 samples were analyzed for their kavalactone content and composition (44 root samples, 6 stump, 5 basal stem, 7 leaves and 1 peelings). Results obtained from different cultivars planted in an homogeneous environment (soil and climate) are quite variable for the kavalactone content of their roots. Total kavalactone content decreases when shade increases over the plants. Total kavalactone content markedly increases with fertility, irrigation and in a cultivated type of habitat. However, kavalactone content appears to be independent of the age of the plant. For all cultivars analyzed, total kavalactone content decreases from the roots to the stump; the basal stems and the leaves exhibit the lower concentration. It is also observed that there is a correlation between the total kavalactone content and the size of the roots: smaller roots tend to have a higher kavalactone content. Peelings of the bark had a higher kavalactone content than the stump and represent a very interesting by-product for the extraction industry. Chemotypes are similar in the roots and the stump, while they differ in the aerial parts where the concentrations in dihydrokavain and dihydromethysticin increase. DNA samples were extracted from fresh leaves collected on 22 accessions. Most accessions, representing all Hawaiian morphotypes were monomorphs for the 21 pairs of primers assayed. Kava in Hawai’i is a species with an extremely narrow genetic base. Morphological and phytochemical variation is obviously controlled by very few genes. Most cultivars representing different morphotypes are most likely somatic mutants from a common clonal source introduced by Polynesians during early settlements.
TL;DR: Traditional knowledge of grain storage was studied on small farms in Ethiopia to show that farmer knowledge is an excellent guide to sorghum susceptibility to storage pests.
Abstract: Traditional knowledge of grain storage was studied on small farms in Ethiopia Sixteen of sixty landraces of sorghum collected from small farms in Shewa and Welo regions of Ethiopia were identified by the farmers as being stored sorghum landraces Farmers were interviewed and asked to rate the storability of these stored-sorghum landraces with respect to the major insect pest of the area, the rice weevil A farmers’ index of storability was then calculated for each landrace The landraces were then assessed for rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L), susceptibility in standardized tests at 70% relative humidity and 27°C The mean farmers’ index for the 16 landraces was found to be inversely related with the susceptibility parameters of F1 emergence (r2=080), oviposition (r2=076), weight loss (r2=088), and Dobie Index (r2=095) It was much less strongly related with the median development period (r2=020) The results show that farmer knowledge is an excellent guide to sorghum susceptibility to storage pests
TL;DR: This chapter discusses traditional farmers' knowledge of sorghum landrace [Sorghum bicolor (Poaceae)] storability in Ethiopia, and conservation and increasing on-farm genetic diversity: Farmer management of varietal bean mixtures in central Africa.
TL;DR: The powdered material contained in one of the tubes was identified as cebil by comparison with reference material and specialized literature to confirm the hypothesis generated from ethnographical sources, that the rape (snuff) complex was associated with the consumption of Anadenanthera colubrina var.
Abstract: Two mummified bodies have been recovered from the Alero I or La Matanza site (15 km from Cusi-Cusi, Dpto. Santa Catalina, Puna of Jujuy, Argentina) in association with characteristic snuffing paraphernalia. The purpose of this work is to identify the powdered material contained in one of the tubes in order to confirm the hypothesis generated from ethnographical sources, that the rape (snuff) complex was associated with the consumption of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil, Fabaceae, the cebil, or, if not, which materials were inhaled. Following analysis with a light microscope, petrographic microscope and scanning electron microscope the unknown material was identified as cebil by comparison with reference material and specialized literature.
TL;DR: The Silphium Motif Adorning Ancient Libyan Coinage: Marketing a Medicinal Plant as mentioned in this paper was used to promote the use of the silphium plant as an aphrodisiac.
Abstract: The Silphium Motif Adorning Ancient Libyan Coinage: Marketing a Medicinal Plant. Economic Botany 53(2): 133–143, 1999. Ancient texts provide an extensive list of purported medicinal benefits for Cyrenaic silphium but omit reference to this extinct, unidentified species o/Ferula (Umbelliferae) as an aphrodisiac. The plant may have been so regarded since ithyphallic and testicular imagery are evoked via stylized representations of the silphium plant and seed pod on the mintage of Greek Cyrenaica in North Africa. These numismatic motifs play to an imitative principle. Whether by calculation or serendipity, commodity marketing likely drew on more subliminal communications through an association between phallus-like renderings of the plant and apotropaic function and through possible association of the geography of a love philtre with a philosophical product of Cyrene, Aristippus’ uninhibited hedonism. Other circumstantial evidence draws on the writings of Avicenna, who attributed aphrodisiacal qualities to a recognized substitute for Cyrenaic silphium, and to the poetry of Catullus whose art linked silphium to carnal pleasures.
TL;DR: The importance of seagrass gathering for the coastal community of Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada is discussed in this paper, where interviews with older residents and analysis of county and company archives facilitate the reconstruction of what was once a seasonally important activity.
Abstract: Wild gathering of the leaves of the submerged marine monocotyledon Zostera marina L. once formed the basis of a vigorous insulation industry in North America. Since European colonization, fishing communities used detached leaves, deposited on the beach by tide and wind, as green manure and domestic insulation, but beginning in the late 1800s, these leaves were utilized in a commercial insulating product. Two companies manufactured seagrass “quilts” that were installed in many buildings of the period including some of the first skyscrapers. We here describe the importance of seagrass gathering for the coastal community of Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Interviews with older residents and analysis of county and company archives facilitate the reconstruction of what was once a seasonally important activity. Our findings have direct application to global seagrass protection initiatives.
TL;DR: In this article, the socioeconomics related to woodrose harvesters were investigated via interview schedules and field survey, and the median gross income per month generated from woodroses was estimated to be between US $38 and 90.
Abstract: Pedistylis galpinii and Erianthemum dregei produce woodrose outgrowths at attachment points with host trees. In some rural areas of southern Africa, woodroses are sold as curios. The socio-economics related to woodrose harvesters were investigated via interview schedules and field survey. Harvesting is not detrimental to hosts as only branches infected with mistletoes are cut. Over half the harvesters interviewed reported harvesting both live and dead mistletoes while 20% used only dead ones. The density of dead mistletoes could satisfy present demand. Such sustainable harvesting practices (only using dead woodroses) allow for woodrose harvesting according to calculated quotas. The median gross income per month generated from woodroses was estimated to be between US $38 and 90. Eleven percent of harvesters relied on woodroses as their only source of income. Marketing was relatively haphazard, involving informal selling at roadsides and unscheduled visits to retailers. The market for woodroses can be expanded and the potential exists to increase supply considerably on a sustainable basis.
TL;DR: Plants of Passiflora incarnata are functionally andromonoecious, and low resource status favors male flower production and thus reduces fruit set, and this plant deserves greater use as a fruit crop.
Abstract: Passiflora incarnata:A New Fruit Crop. Economic Botany 53(2): 161–176, 1999. Passiflora incarnata bears flavorful fruits consumed by past and present peoples, and this plant deserves greater use as a fruit crop. Native to southeastern North America, it is an herbaceous perennial vine which flowers and fruits over much of the growing season. P. incarnata is self-incompatible and usually pollinated by carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.). Plants are functionally andromonoecious, and low resource status favors male flower production and thus reduces fruit set. The fruits contain many seeds, each surrounded by an aril holding edible juice, and this juice can be consumed fresh or used in processed products. Because it is a minor agricultural weed, P. incarnata should not be introduced into regions where it may naturalize. Polyploid hybrids of P. incarnata and the subtropical and tropical passionfruit, P. edulis, are also potential temperate fruit crops. Future research on P. incarnata should evaluate intraspecific genetic variation and performance in cultivation.
TL;DR: The variability within the wild species appears to be sufficient for altering oil and fatty acid characteristics in cultivated sunflower.
Abstract: The cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is one of the four most important annual crops in the world grown for its edible oil. Species of the genusHelianthus served as the ancestral stock for the present cultivated sunflower. The wild relatives are a valuable genetic reservoir for improving the crop species. This study examined oil concentration and fatty acid composition in oil of two annualHelianthus species (31 populations) and four perennial species (32 populations) from the prairie provinces of Canada. The highest average oil concentration was observed in annualH. petiolaris with 31.3%. Among the perennials,H. maximiliani Schrad. had the highest average oil concentration with 31.1%.Helianthus tuberosus L. had the highest average palmitic (16:0) acid concentration with 8.0%, while the lowest value was observed inH. petiolaris with 4.0%. The highest average stearic (18:0) acid concentration was found inH. annuus with 2.9%, whileH. petiolaris had the lowest with 2.3%. The highest average oleic acid (18:1) was observed in H. petiolaris (18.4%), and the highest linoleic (18:2) was observed inH. maximiliani (77.4%). The variability within the wild species appears to be sufficient for altering oil and fatty acid characteristics in cultivated sunflower.