Browsing by Author "Reta Haimanot"

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    An Ethnobotanical Study of Useful Plants of the Farming Site in Gozamen Wereda, East Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-05) Reta Haimanot; Kelbessa Ensermu (Professor); Asfaw Zemede (PhD)
    An ethnobotanical study of useful plants in Gozamen Wereda with special emphasis on cultivated plants was conducted from November 20/2009- January 1/2010. The study was aimed at documenting indigenous knowledge of people on plants in their farming complex and maintenance of local crop genetic resource. Six kebeles were selected based on altitude range between 1500 and 3500 m a s l., at which many crops can grow. Sixty farmers (10 females &50 males) were systematically selected from 120 farmers that have well established homegarden and farm fields. Ten key informants from 60 ordinary informants were selected systematically. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews, direct field observation, group discussion and market survey. The collected data was analyzed by using preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, paired comparison, and use value analysis. A total of 136 plant species (29 trees, 30 shrubs, 73 herbs, and 4 climbers) in 48 families were collected and identified from two farming sites. The plants can be grouped in to 10 major use categories i.e., 39 multipurpose plants, 38 food plants, 19 medicinal plants, 10 spice plants, 8 neutracetical plants, 7 both spice and medicinal plants, 4 both fragrant and medicinal plant, 3 stimulants, 1 fragrant plant and 7 others. Food plants are further classified in to major classes as cereals, pulses, oil crops, fruits and vegetables. Preference ranking on major cereal crops for making ‘injera’ and use value of 8 farmer’s variety of Hordeum vulgare was made. Traditional practices like selecting the soil type, improving the fertility of soil, determining time of sowing, obtaining planting materials through different methods, seed storage techniques, weed and pest management, mixed cropping, perception about exotic seed and their effect shows the farmers diversified knowledge in their farming system. The market utility value of desired fragrant plants, vegetables and threats that hinder production of major fruit and vegetable crops were further analyzed by paired comparison. In general, the local people are experts on plants that are grown in their homestead and farm fields. Before deciding to clear or cut or weed the plant, farmers evaluate the plant based on different criteria acquired through their life long experience than ordinary agriculturalists decide to reach conclusion about the plant. A greater evaluation criteria in kind and dimension have been giving a chance to the plant either tolerated, managed and/or cultivate d by farmers so as to conserve agrobiodiversty of the study area.