INDIGENOUS MULTIPLICATION AND PRODUCTION PRACTICES FOR THE TUBER CROP PLECTRANTHUS EDULIS IN CHENCHA AND WOLAITA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

SUMMARYPlectranthus edulis (syn. Coleus edulis) is a tuber-bearing labiate species cultivated in parts of southern Ethiopia. To learn about traditional cultural practices and their rationale, a survey was conducted among farmers from Chencha and Wolaita experienced in growing this crop. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to interview 48 family heads categorized into three wealth groups per site. Information was checked through group discussions and field observations. In Wolaita, poorer farmers cropped a larger portion of their land to P. edulis than richer farmers. Land was usually prepared for planting between January and April. In Wolaita, the crop was mostly grown in a furrow. In Chencha growing in patches and on flat land also occurred. Farmers mostly used a digging hoe for land preparation. Tuber pieces were planted about 5 cm deep. According to farmers, using tuber pieces resulted in more stems, more progeny tubers and higher yields than using whole tubers. Tubers were broken into pieces 0-1 day before planting. Tuber pieces were planted with sprouts or after desprouting. Crops were usually fertilized with manure, but in Wolaita sometimes also with compost. Applying fertilizer was thought to give more and bigger tubers. Earthing up took place 1-3 times (usually twice), to increase yield. Tipping was also done 1-3 times (usually once), to increase the number of stems. Based on the survey, an overview of the practices and their rationale is compiled for use in further research into this orphan crop.

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

“…Farmers used various morphological and agronomic characteristics to identify the landraces growing in the three administrative zones, which is in agreement with the findings of Taye et al (2007) in Plectranthus edulis (Vatke) Agnew. The differences in the diverse ethnic languages of the three study administrative zones might have contributed for duplication in naming of this korarima landrace.…”

Effects of breaking seed tubers on yield components of the tuber crop Plectranthus edulis

“…It is grown in mid-and high-altitude areas (> 1500 m asl) in northern, southern and south-western Ethiopia (Westphal 1975). Depending on the area where it is grown, it is called Wolaita dono, Dinicha Oromo, Gamo dinich, Gurage dinich, Agew dinich or Ethiopian potato (Taye et al 2007). There is a large diversity of genotypes available (Garedew et al 2009), but there are no distinct differences in diversity between regions (Yeshitila Mekbib 2007).…”

“…It is grown as a sole crop in agricultural systems which also include cereals (wheat (Triticum spp. ), barley (Hordeum vulgare), maize (Zea mays) and/or teff (Eragrostis tef), leguminous crops (bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and/or pea (Pisum sativum)) and root and tuber crops (enset (Ensete ventricosum), Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Manihot esculenta) and/ or taro (Colocasia esculenta); Taye et al 2007). It is planted at the onset of the rainy season between January and the end of April and harvested usually from September, October or November onwards, depending on the region (Taye et al 2007;Yeshitila Mekbib 2007).…”

“…Seed tuber pieces are planted with sprouts intact or after de-sprouting. Slightly more than half of the farmers plant de-sprouted tubers (Taye et al 2007) and most farmers plant in furrows (Taye et al 2007). When plants are c. 0•15 m, the apical parts of the main stem and the larger branches are removed, including one or two leaf pairs; this practice is called 'tipping' and can be repeated once or twice (Taye et al 2007(Taye et al , 2011.…”

“…Similar to Irish potato, the crop is hilled during growth, i.e. soil is piled up around the stem, up to three times (Taye et al 2007).…”