Diversity, consumption dynamics and ethnomedical claims of traditional leafy vegetables consumed by a rural community in the KwaMbonambi area, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Abstract. Mncwango NC, Mavengahama S, Ntuli NR, van Jaarsveld CM. 2020. Diversity, consumption dynamics and ethnomedical claims of traditional leafy vegetables consumed by a rural community in the KwaMbonambi area, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Biodiversitas 21: 1196-1202. Traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs) are mostly wild and informally-domesticated edible plant species. Their nutritious leaves, shoot tips, flowers and fruits are consumed as vegetables, particularly by rural communities in Africa. However, their consumption and cultivation are still marginal. This study aimed to identify the most preferred TLVs, as well as factors that affect the consumption and cultivation of these species. A questionnaire was administered among 100 respondents to record the preferred TLVs; the reason (s) for preference; consumption frequency; and constraints towards consumption of these vegetable species. This study recorded a total of 18 TLVs that belong to 14 genera and 11 families. Among these, Amaranthus hybridus, A. spinosus, A. thunbergii, Bidens biternata and Corchorus olitorius were the most preferred species. Vegetables were preferred primarily based on the taste; where most people ate them once a week when they are available. The major TLV consumption constraints were seasonal availability and low shelf life. A decline in the availability of TLVs was primarily caused by drought. Regardless of the observed decline, only 23% of respondents practiced informal cultivation of Amaranthus species. Bidens pilosa, Momordica balsamina, and Corchorus olitorius vegetable species were also known to possess some medicinal values. Future research on improving taste, increasing edible plant parts and elongating shelf life for preferred TLVs, is a necessity.
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References
Berinyuy JE, Fontem DA. 2011. Evaluating post-harvest opportunities and constraints to utilization and marketing of African leafy vegetables in Cameroon. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev 11: 4647–4663.
Chauhan D, Shrivastava AK, Patra S. 2014. Diversity of leafy vegetables used by tribal peoples of Chhattisgarh, India. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci 3: 611–622.
Chakravarty S, Bhutia KD, Suresh CP, Shukla G, Pala NA. 2016. A review on diversity, conservation and nutrition of wild edible fruits. J Nat Appl Sci 8: 2346-2353.
Etèka CA, Ahohuendo BC, Ahoton LE, Dabadé SD, Ahanchédé A. 2010. Seeds’ germination of four traditional leafy vegetables in Benin (LFT). Tropicultura 20: 148-152.
Faber M, Van Jaarsveld PJ, Laubscher R. 2007. The contribution of dark-green leafy vegetables to total micronutrient intake of two- to five-year-old children in a rural setting. Water SA 33: 407-412.
Faber M, Oelofse A, Van Jaarsveld PJ, Wenhold F, Jansen van Rensburg WS. 2010. African leafy vegetables consumed by households in the Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces in South Africa. South Afr J Clin Nutr 23: 30–38.
GISD (Global Invasive Species Database). 2019. Species profile: Bidens pilosa. Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1431 on 25-01-2019.
IBM Corp. 2016. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.
Jansen van Rensburg WS, van Averbeke W, Slabbert R, Faber M, van Jaarsveld P, van Heerden I, Wenhold F, Oelofse A. 2007. African leafy vegetables in South Africa. Water SA 33: 317–326.
Jansen van Rensburg WS, Cloete M, Gerrano AS, Adebola PO. 2014. Have you ever considered eating your weeds? Am J Plant Sci 5: 1110–1116.
Keding G, Weinberger K, Swai I, Mndiga H. 2007. Diversity, traits and use of traditional vegetables in Tanzania. Technical Bulletin 40: 1–53.
Konsam S, Thongam B, Handique AK. 2016. Assessment of wild leafy vegetables traditionally consumed by the ethnic communities of Manipur, northeast India. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 12: 1–15.
Langat PK. 2014. Association of indigenous knowledge with nutrition, health claims and consumption of traditional African leafy vegetables: A comparative study of agricultural and pastoral communities of Narok South District. [Dissertation]. University of Nairobi, [Kenya].
Legwaila GM, Mojeremane W, Madisa ME, Mmolotsi RM, Rampart M. 2011. Potential of traditional food plants in rural household food security in Botswana. Afr Crop Sci J 3: 28–34.
Lewu FB, Afolayan AJ. 2009. Ethnomedicine in South Africa: The role of weedy species. Afr J Biotechnol 8: 929–934.
Lewu FB, Mavengahama S. 2010. Wild vegetables in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Current status of production and research needs. Sci Res Essays 5: 3044–3048.
Maseko I, Baletse YG, Nogemane N, Du Plooy CP, Mabhaudhi T. 2015. Growth, physiology and yield responses of Amaranthus cruentus, Corchorus olitorius and Vigna unguiculata to plant density under drip-irrigated commercial production. S Afr J Plant Soil 32: 87–94.
Matenge STP. 2011. Utilisation of traditional and indigenous foods in the North West province of South Africa. [Dissertation]. North-West University, Potchefstroom. [South African].
Mampholo BM, Sivakumar D, Thompson AK. 2016. Maintaining overall quality of fresh traditional leafy vegetables of Southern Africa during the postharvest chain. Food Rev Int 32: 400–416.
Mavengahama S. 2013. The contribution of indigenous vegetables to food security and nutrition within selected sites in South Africa. [Dissertation]. University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch. [South African].
Mavengahama S, De Clercq WP, McLachlan M. 2016. Effect of soil amendments on yield of wild okra (Corchorus olitorius) in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. S Afr J Plant Soil 33: 153–156.
Medoua GN, Oldewage-Theron WH. 2014. Effect of drying and cooking on nutritional value and antioxidant capacity of morogo (Amaranthus hybridus) a traditional leafy vegetable grown in South Africa. J Food Sci Technol 51: 736–742.
Molina M, Tardío J, Aceituno-Mata L, Morales R. 2014. Weeds and food diversity: Natural yield assessment and future alternatives for traditionally consumed wild vegetables. J Ethnobiol 34: 44–67.
Nkomo M, Kambizi L. 2009. Effects of pre-chilling and temperature on seed germination of Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae) (Jew’s Mallow), a wild leafy vegetable. Afr J Biotechnol 8: 1078-1081
Ngone AM, Monah NL, Mathias MA. 2016. Survey of wild vegetables in the Lebialem highlands of South Western Cameroon. J Plant Sci 4: 172–184.
Njume C, Goduka NI, George G. 2014. Indigenous leafy vegetables (imifino, morogo, muhuro) in South Africa: A rich and unexplored source of nutrients and antioxidants. Afr J Biotechnol 13: 1933–1942.
Ntuli NR. 2013. A survey of traditional leafy vegetables and studies of genetic diversity of Cucurbita landraces in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. [Dissertation]. University of Zululand, Empangeni. [South African].
Ribeiro JE, Pieterse PJ, Famba SI. 2017. Vegetative growth of Amaranthus hybridus and Amaranthus tricolor under different watering regimes in different seasons in southern Mozambique. S Afr J Plant Soil 34: 201–210.
Sithole NTN, Thamaga-Chitja JM, Makanda I. 2011. The role of traditional leafy vegetables in household food security in rural KwaZulu-Natal. IAJIKS 10: 195–209.
Sowunmi LI. 2015. Nutritional value and cultivation requirements of Cleome gynandra L: A wild vegetable growing in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. [Dissertation]. University of Fort Hare, East London. [South African].
Taruvinga A, Nengovhela R. 2015. Consumers’ perceptions and consumption dynamics of African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs): Evidence from Feni Communal Area, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. ICBET 81: 89–95.
Tumwet TN, Kang’ethe EK, Kogi-Makau W, Mwangi AM. 2014. Diversity and immune boosting claims of some African indigenous leafy vegetables in Western Kenya. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev 14: 8529-8544.
Van der Hoeven M. 2014. The effect of African Leafy Vegetables on the alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies in school children residing in the North West Province of South Africa. [Dissertation]. University of North West, Potchefstroom. [South African].
Vorster IHJ, Jansen van Rensburg JWS, Venter SL. 2007. The importance of traditional leafy vegetables in South Africa. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev 7: 1–13.
Vorster IHJ, Stevens JB, Steyn GJ. 2008. Production systems of traditional leafy vegetables: Challenges for research and extension. SASAE 37: 85–96.
Berinyuy JE, Fontem DA. 2011. Evaluating post-harvest opportunities and constraints to utilization and marketing of African leafy vegetables in Cameroon. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev 11: 4647–4663.
Chauhan D, Shrivastava AK, Patra S. 2014. Diversity of leafy vegetables used by tribal peoples of Chhattisgarh, India. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci 3: 611–622.
Chakravarty S, Bhutia KD, Suresh CP, Shukla G, Pala NA. 2016. A review on diversity, conservation and nutrition of wild edible fruits. J Nat Appl Sci 8: 2346-2353.
Etèka CA, Ahohuendo BC, Ahoton LE, Dabadé SD, Ahanchédé A. 2010. Seeds’ germination of four traditional leafy vegetables in Benin (LFT). Tropicultura 20: 148-152.
Faber M, Van Jaarsveld PJ, Laubscher R. 2007. The contribution of dark-green leafy vegetables to total micronutrient intake of two- to five-year-old children in a rural setting. Water SA 33: 407-412.
Faber M, Oelofse A, Van Jaarsveld PJ, Wenhold F, Jansen van Rensburg WS. 2010. African leafy vegetables consumed by households in the Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces in South Africa. South Afr J Clin Nutr 23: 30–38.
GISD (Global Invasive Species Database). 2019. Species profile: Bidens pilosa. Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1431 on 25-01-2019.
IBM Corp. 2016. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.
Jansen van Rensburg WS, van Averbeke W, Slabbert R, Faber M, van Jaarsveld P, van Heerden I, Wenhold F, Oelofse A. 2007. African leafy vegetables in South Africa. Water SA 33: 317–326.
Jansen van Rensburg WS, Cloete M, Gerrano AS, Adebola PO. 2014. Have you ever considered eating your weeds? Am J Plant Sci 5: 1110–1116.
Keding G, Weinberger K, Swai I, Mndiga H. 2007. Diversity, traits and use of traditional vegetables in Tanzania. Technical Bulletin 40: 1–53.
Konsam S, Thongam B, Handique AK. 2016. Assessment of wild leafy vegetables traditionally consumed by the ethnic communities of Manipur, northeast India. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 12: 1–15.
Langat PK. 2014. Association of indigenous knowledge with nutrition, health claims and consumption of traditional African leafy vegetables: A comparative study of agricultural and pastoral communities of Narok South District. [Dissertation]. University of Nairobi, [Kenya].
Legwaila GM, Mojeremane W, Madisa ME, Mmolotsi RM, Rampart M. 2011. Potential of traditional food plants in rural household food security in Botswana. Afr Crop Sci J 3: 28–34.
Lewu FB, Afolayan AJ. 2009. Ethnomedicine in South Africa: The role of weedy species. Afr J Biotechnol 8: 929–934.
Lewu FB, Mavengahama S. 2010. Wild vegetables in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Current status of production and research needs. Sci Res Essays 5: 3044–3048.
Maseko I, Baletse YG, Nogemane N, Du Plooy CP, Mabhaudhi T. 2015. Growth, physiology and yield responses of Amaranthus cruentus, Corchorus olitorius and Vigna unguiculata to plant density under drip-irrigated commercial production. S Afr J Plant Soil 32: 87–94.
Matenge STP. 2011. Utilisation of traditional and indigenous foods in the North West province of South Africa. [Dissertation]. North-West University, Potchefstroom. [South African].
Mampholo BM, Sivakumar D, Thompson AK. 2016. Maintaining overall quality of fresh traditional leafy vegetables of Southern Africa during the postharvest chain. Food Rev Int 32: 400–416.
Mavengahama S. 2013. The contribution of indigenous vegetables to food security and nutrition within selected sites in South Africa. [Dissertation]. University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch. [South African].
Mavengahama S, De Clercq WP, McLachlan M. 2016. Effect of soil amendments on yield of wild okra (Corchorus olitorius) in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. S Afr J Plant Soil 33: 153–156.
Medoua GN, Oldewage-Theron WH. 2014. Effect of drying and cooking on nutritional value and antioxidant capacity of morogo (Amaranthus hybridus) a traditional leafy vegetable grown in South Africa. J Food Sci Technol 51: 736–742.
Molina M, Tardío J, Aceituno-Mata L, Morales R. 2014. Weeds and food diversity: Natural yield assessment and future alternatives for traditionally consumed wild vegetables. J Ethnobiol 34: 44–67.
Nkomo M, Kambizi L. 2009. Effects of pre-chilling and temperature on seed germination of Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae) (Jew’s Mallow), a wild leafy vegetable. Afr J Biotechnol 8: 1078-1081
Ngone AM, Monah NL, Mathias MA. 2016. Survey of wild vegetables in the Lebialem highlands of South Western Cameroon. J Plant Sci 4: 172–184.
Njume C, Goduka NI, George G. 2014. Indigenous leafy vegetables (imifino, morogo, muhuro) in South Africa: A rich and unexplored source of nutrients and antioxidants. Afr J Biotechnol 13: 1933–1942.
Ntuli NR. 2013. A survey of traditional leafy vegetables and studies of genetic diversity of Cucurbita landraces in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. [Dissertation]. University of Zululand, Empangeni. [South African].
Ribeiro JE, Pieterse PJ, Famba SI. 2017. Vegetative growth of Amaranthus hybridus and Amaranthus tricolor under different watering regimes in different seasons in southern Mozambique. S Afr J Plant Soil 34: 201–210.
Sithole NTN, Thamaga-Chitja JM, Makanda I. 2011. The role of traditional leafy vegetables in household food security in rural KwaZulu-Natal. IAJIKS 10: 195–209.
Sowunmi LI. 2015. Nutritional value and cultivation requirements of Cleome gynandra L: A wild vegetable growing in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. [Dissertation]. University of Fort Hare, East London. [South African].
Taruvinga A, Nengovhela R. 2015. Consumers’ perceptions and consumption dynamics of African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs): Evidence from Feni Communal Area, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. ICBET 81: 89–95.
Tumwet TN, Kang’ethe EK, Kogi-Makau W, Mwangi AM. 2014. Diversity and immune boosting claims of some African indigenous leafy vegetables in Western Kenya. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev 14: 8529-8544.
Van der Hoeven M. 2014. The effect of African Leafy Vegetables on the alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies in school children residing in the North West Province of South Africa. [Dissertation]. University of North West, Potchefstroom. [South African].
Vorster IHJ, Jansen van Rensburg JWS, Venter SL. 2007. The importance of traditional leafy vegetables in South Africa. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev 7: 1–13.
Vorster IHJ, Stevens JB, Steyn GJ. 2008. Production systems of traditional leafy vegetables: Challenges for research and extension. SASAE 37: 85–96.
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