2020 - 20222
Author: Ntuli, Nontuthuko Rosemary × Subject: Domestication ×
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    Prioritization of indigenous fruit tree species with domestication and commercialization potential in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    2020
     | Springer Nature
    Indigenous fruit tree species (IFTs) can play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and as a source of food in South Africa. Although these species contain nutrient-rich edible fruits that are also locally processed to food products such as jams and jellies, they are still underutilized and also harvested from the wild. This study aimed to prioritize in northern KwaZulu-Natal, IFTs with domestication and commercialization potential. A literature survey and focus groups were used to list tree species that produce edible fruits with this potential. Plant experts, through focus groups and reference group meetings, further ranked fruit trees using a scorecard method based on various attributes. A total of 29 prioritized IFTs was obtained, of which the Sapotaceae was the most represented family with a maximum of four species. Based on scorecard assessment, the most preferred species in descending order were Strychnos spinosa Lam., Garcinia livingstonei T.Anderson, Englerophytum magalismontanum (Sond.) T.D.Penn, Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich) Hochst., Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. & Harv) Hook.f., Vangueria infaustia Burch. and Berchemia zeyheri (Sond.) Grubov. Strychnos spinosa was ranked as the first most important IFTs with a final score of 151, whereas Berchemia zeyheri was ranked the least with the final score of 146.1. However, the final scores of all most preferred species were relatively similar to one another. The top seven species identified in this study should be considered as a baseline for future IFTs development programmes such as domestication, whereby these species are introduced to small-holder farmers and food processing industries.
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    Potential of domesticating the underutilized multipurpose wild leafy vegetable, sesamum alatum, under low input organic cropping systems
    2022
     | Elsevier
    Sesamum alatum Thonn., of the Pedaliaceae family is rich in nutrients and is also used for medicinal purposes, but it is still collected from the wild. It thrives well in sandy soils which are known for low fertility and moisture content. Rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal usually keep cows, goats, poultry and sheep as their livestock, where they also source organic manure for subsistence farming. Animal manure improves both plant and soil properties. Application of animal manure also results in an increase in growth, yield and nutrient content of leafy vegetables such as Amaranthus, Abelmoschus, and Corchorus species. In India, Sesamum indicum, a domesticated relative of S. alatum, also had its vegetative, reproductive and nutrient properties improved with the application of poultry manure. A selection of organic manure(s) for S. alatum domestication is possible by reviewing the use of various domesticated animal manures to improve morpho-agronomic traits and nutrient content of leafy vegetables. Therefore, determining an agronomic protocol for this species in South Africa is a priority for future research.
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