Ethnobotanical Survey and Agro-Morphological Characterization of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc., Zingiberaceae) Cultivars in South Benin

Abstract

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc., Zingiberaceae), a cultivated annual herbaceous plant is one of the most important spices consumed in the world with many medicinal properties. It is an income-generating plant for its production. This study aims to document endogenous knowledge on speculation as well as an agro-morphological characterization in order to make it better known and to reveal its potential to the whole world. The ethnobotanical data obtained by a semi-structured survey conducted from a questionnaire in six (06) municipalities in southern Benin made it possible to determine the local taxonomy of Ginger, the cultural practices and the different uses of the species. Ginger has been introduced in Benin for decades and in all the area study. The local names for the species as well as its uses, vary according to locality. As for the agro-morphological characterization, a complete random block device composed of five sub-plots was used. The experimental data allowed us to obtain three classes with all the accessions collected. Ginger cultivation is widespread in the study area with production on a small area. The cultivation techniques adopted do not follow any defined technical itinerary and the production tools are often rudimentary. The cultivation of ginger is therefore limited despite its multiple medicinal and economic potential. The institutions in charge of agriculture do not have data concerning the cultivation of ginger in southern Benin.

Agromorphological Characterization of Ginger (<i>Zingiber officinale</i> Rosc., Zingiberaceae) Accessions Grown in Côte d’Ivoire

“…In fact, most growers obtain planting material for their plots either by purchase on local markets or by donation [15]. The same genetic structuring was observed in Benin, where ginger accessions were grouped into three groups independently of their collection area on the basis of characters such as rhizome length, width, thickness and weight, skin and flesh color, finger length, streak arrangement and fiber density for 29 ginger accessions [18]. [31] also obtained a structuring of their collection based on rhizome yield, number of thalli per plant and plant height with ginger ecotypes grown in Japan.…”

“…Group 3, represented on the negative side of Axis 1, features smaller individuals, smaller and less wide rhizomes and low yields. These accessions come from Agneby-Tiassa (2), Loh-Djiboua (5), Nawa (9), Iffou (3), the Moronou (5), Gontougo (4), Haut-Sassandra (11), Tonpki (4), Guémon (5), Marahoué (18), District des Lacs (9), Béré (12), Poro (10), Kabadougou (8) and Bagoué (4).…”

“…Unfortunately, knowledge of this resource is sorely breeding, it is essential that these resources are correctly characterized. Numerous genetic diversity studies have been conducted for ginger management and breeding [16] [17] [18]. However, in Côte d'Ivoire, apart from the work on the genetic diversity of ginger carried out by [15], no study has yet been carried out on the distribution and agronomic characterization of this plant.…”