Optimization of African indigenous vegetables production in sub Saharan Africa: a review

Abstract The numerous types of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) in sub-Saharan Africa are not extensively cultivated, even after the realization of their superior nutritional, health benefits, and higher resistance to climate change. The recent increase in demand for AIVs brings about the need t...

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Main Authors: Jefline J. Kodzwa, Godwil Madamombe, Esther N. Masvaya, Justice Nyamangara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-10-01
Series:CABI Agriculture and Bioscience
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-023-00184-0
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author Jefline J. Kodzwa
Godwil Madamombe
Esther N. Masvaya
Justice Nyamangara
author_facet Jefline J. Kodzwa
Godwil Madamombe
Esther N. Masvaya
Justice Nyamangara
author_sort Jefline J. Kodzwa
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The numerous types of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) in sub-Saharan Africa are not extensively cultivated, even after the realization of their superior nutritional, health benefits, and higher resistance to climate change. The recent increase in demand for AIVs brings about the need to match cultivation with consumption to prevent the extinction of these nutritious vegetables through overexploitation. This review aims to assess the most common AIVs and the associated agronomic practices in their production by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe and SSA in general for potential commercialization. Amaranthus, Cleome gynandra, Bidens pilosa, Abelmoschus esculentus, Vigna unguiculata, Cucurbita spp. and Corchorus molitorius are some of the most consumed AIVs in sub-Saharan Africa. Plant density should balance between leaf quality and leaf and seed yield per unit area. Transplanting and sowing AIVs in lines as pure stand can optimize production when compared to broadcasting. Nutrient application whether organic or inorganic is crucial together with harvesting leaves in 1 to 2 weeks interval and removing flowers to increase budding for optimized AIVs production. There is vast information on the indigenous vegetables found and preferred in SSA but scarce information on their performance under different plant nutrition management regimes and different agroecological regions. Research is required to increase production and to improve the nutrient content of AIVs.
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spelling doaj.art-307a55b51300400081f7bac149fd2be72023-10-29T12:32:14ZengBMCCABI Agriculture and Bioscience2662-40442023-10-014111010.1186/s43170-023-00184-0Optimization of African indigenous vegetables production in sub Saharan Africa: a reviewJefline J. Kodzwa0Godwil Madamombe1Esther N. Masvaya2Justice Nyamangara3Department of Horticulture, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and TechnologyDepartment of Horticulture, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and TechnologyClimate Change and Food Security Institute, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and TechnologyClimate Change and Food Security Institute, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and TechnologyAbstract The numerous types of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) in sub-Saharan Africa are not extensively cultivated, even after the realization of their superior nutritional, health benefits, and higher resistance to climate change. The recent increase in demand for AIVs brings about the need to match cultivation with consumption to prevent the extinction of these nutritious vegetables through overexploitation. This review aims to assess the most common AIVs and the associated agronomic practices in their production by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe and SSA in general for potential commercialization. Amaranthus, Cleome gynandra, Bidens pilosa, Abelmoschus esculentus, Vigna unguiculata, Cucurbita spp. and Corchorus molitorius are some of the most consumed AIVs in sub-Saharan Africa. Plant density should balance between leaf quality and leaf and seed yield per unit area. Transplanting and sowing AIVs in lines as pure stand can optimize production when compared to broadcasting. Nutrient application whether organic or inorganic is crucial together with harvesting leaves in 1 to 2 weeks interval and removing flowers to increase budding for optimized AIVs production. There is vast information on the indigenous vegetables found and preferred in SSA but scarce information on their performance under different plant nutrition management regimes and different agroecological regions. Research is required to increase production and to improve the nutrient content of AIVs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-023-00184-0DefloweringDensityFertilizerHarvestingNutrientsPlanting
spellingShingle Jefline J. Kodzwa
Godwil Madamombe
Esther N. Masvaya
Justice Nyamangara
Optimization of African indigenous vegetables production in sub Saharan Africa: a review
CABI Agriculture and Bioscience
Deflowering
Density
Fertilizer
Harvesting
Nutrients
Planting
title Optimization of African indigenous vegetables production in sub Saharan Africa: a review
title_full Optimization of African indigenous vegetables production in sub Saharan Africa: a review
title_fullStr Optimization of African indigenous vegetables production in sub Saharan Africa: a review
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of African indigenous vegetables production in sub Saharan Africa: a review
title_short Optimization of African indigenous vegetables production in sub Saharan Africa: a review
title_sort optimization of african indigenous vegetables production in sub saharan africa a review
topic Deflowering
Density
Fertilizer
Harvesting
Nutrients
Planting
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-023-00184-0
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