Article Information Ethnobotany describes the realm between human interactions with plant in their environment. Colocasia [Schott] and Xanthosoma [Schott] (Araceae) are important staples in Nigeria. This study aims to document the traditional knowledge base of these crops amongst tribes in Edo state. Using random stratified sampling technique, fifty respondents were selected and primary data obtained through semi structured questionnaire. Fifty-four cocoyam (61.11 % Xanthosomaand and 38.89 % Colocasia) germplasm were collected and documented. Respondents were mostly between 41-50 years (29.63 %) while farming (33.33 %) is the dominant occupation. The dominant ethnic groups encountered were Bini (22.22 %) and Esan (25.93 %). Status of cocoyam collected was 94.44 % and 5.55 % for cultivated and wild respectively. Local names were significant with over twenty recorded. Food use (94.26 %) is higher than non-food use (5.74 %). Use for medicine is the dominant non-food use. Preference is related to uses, adaptation and palatability. More study is recommended to characterize these germplasm.
Indigenous people especially in southern Nigeria use Corchorus olitorius L. (Jute) as a staple vegetable. Population dynamics, richness and frequency of occurrence of microflora isolates on healthy green leaves of wild okra were estimated within two weeks at weekly intervals using the dilution technique. This study was conducted in the University of Benin intend to show the diversity of microorganisms on the leaves of wild okra. The leaves were categorized based on their period of harvest into old, new and middle with a week interval between each harvest. After serial dilution in distilled water, isolation was done using nutrient agar for bacteria and potato dextrose agar for fungi. After incubation colony forming units per millimeter were counted, isolated, identified and characterized using standard microbiological techniques. The fungal diversity and frequency of occurrence were higher in the first sampling (61.50% and 62.07% respectively) than those of the second sampling (38.50% and 37.93%). Total viable microbial population in the second sampling after two weeks was higher (11.23 X 10 2 cfu/ml) than in the first sampling after one week (10.00 X 10 2 cfu/ml). The total cumulative bacterial count was higher (15.69X 10 2 cfu/ml) than those of fungi (55.40 X 10 2 cfu/ml) during the studies. Bacterial genera isolated included; Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Micrococcus, Serratia and Proteus. Rhodotorula, Mucor, Trichoderma, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Helminthosporium were the genera of fungi isolated. Further studies could help to elucidate major players in wild okra phylloplane ecology.
Department of Plant Biology and Cocoyam (Colocasia [Schott] and Xanthosoma Alismatales order. The aim of this study is to collect cocoyam from the eighteen Local Government Areas (LGA) in Edo state and describe them based on leaf count and sprout percentage. Using random stratified sampling methods, cocoyam were collected. Field trials were conducted in the Experimental Garden, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology. The soil was subjected to analysis at the Soil Science Department, University of Benin to determine its characteristics and suitability microbial count was 6.25 X 10 5 and 1.34 X 10 Phosphorus, potassium, manganese and copper were low, zinc and iron were moderate whereas soluble salts were high in the soil. Results of percentage sprout indicate accessions from Esan south east had highest percentage sprout of 92.0 % while accessions from Owan East had the lowest percentage sprout value of 33.3 %. Visible sprouting was observed beginning from seventh day after planting. Leaf count reveals varied levels of significance at P ≥ 0.5 from March to July. Highest mean count of 1.35± March. In April, highest mean count of 5.42± 8.58 ± 1.69 as highest mean count in May was obtained from Ovia North East. Owan West had the highest mean count in June and July with 14.50±2.84 and 15.50± This study suggests great amount of cocoyam diversity. Their leaves is vegetable which may be available all year round. The cocoyam accessions can sprout with minimum requirements. More investigation is required to elucidate their constituents of these uncommon vegetable.
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