Analysis of korarima (Aframomum corrorima (Braun) P.C.M. Jansen) indigenous production practices and farm based biodiversity in southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Korarima (Aframomum corrorima (Braun) P.C.M. Jansen) production is declining mainly due to destruction of the plant's natural habitat. A survey was conducted in the three major korarima growing administrative zones, Gamo Gofa, Debub Omo and Kaffa in southern Ethiopia to assess indigenous production practices, wealth status, farm based biodiversity and household characteristics using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and semi-structured questionnaires. The wealth is unevenly distributed among households and not significantly different for korarima growers and non-korarima growers. Farmers acknowledged that shortage of shade trees; low yield and lack of improved varieties had contributed to decrease in production area (PA). A total of three distinct named korarima landraces were recorded, with a range from one to three on individual farms implying low farm based biodiversity. More households grew enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) in Gamo Gofa and Kaffa while maize (Zea mays L.) was grown by nearly all households in Debub Omo. Only a few households grew korarima. Most of the household characteristics significantly affected the PA of korarima. The correlation coefficients indicated that the relationship of household characteristics were significant. Findings of this study suggest that the maintenance of shade trees on the main farm field is the main requirement for korarima production.

Genetic diversity analysis of cultivated Korarima [Aframomum corrorima (Braun) P.C.M. Jansen] populations from southwestern Ethiopia using inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) marker

“…The values of Nei’s genetic diversity (GD) obtained for native plants of Ethiopia like enset (GD: 0.27) [30], teff (GD: 0.27) [31] and sorgum (GD: 0.21) [32] using ISSR markers in the previous studies showed a lower value than obtained in the present study. However, this result contradicts the farm based biodiversity study of A. corrorima in southern Ethiopia by Eyob et al [2]. The Shannon–Weaver and Simpson diversity indices calculated by Eyob et al [2] indicated that the biodiversity of korarima landraces is lower when compared with other native plants of Ethiopia (enset, tef and sorghum) in all administrative zones studied [2].…”

“…However, this result contradicts the farm based biodiversity study of A. corrorima in southern Ethiopia by Eyob et al [2]. The Shannon–Weaver and Simpson diversity indices calculated by Eyob et al [2] indicated that the biodiversity of korarima landraces is lower when compared with other native plants of Ethiopia (enset, tef and sorghum) in all administrative zones studied [2]. …”

“…It is usually self-pollinated. Occasionally, cross-pollination by insects is possible due to the presence of large nectaries at the top of the ovaries [2]. …”

“…Korarima can be propagated either by seed or by cutting of its clumps, though the latter is by far the most common method, as it yields earlier and ensures a true-to-type propagation than the former [4]. Because of the predominant vegetative propagation method employed, the maximum number of korarima landraces identified in three administrative zones studied by Eyob et al [2] was three.…”

Effects of cytokinin types and their concentration on in vitro shoot induction and multiplication of korarima

“…Different plant parts of korarima (seeds, pods, leaves and flowers) are locally used in traditional medicine to treat humans and cattle as well. Since its rhizomes and leaves spread well on the ground, korarima plants could also serve a lot for soil and water conservation, especially by covering and protecting the soil from erosion and drying all year round in the mountainous areas where the crop is commonly cultivated (Eyob et al, 2008).…”