Abstract:
This study aimed at determining the quality of wild vegetables under different growing
conditions. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and single time
collected samples from planted wild vegetables were laboratory tested to determine
nutrient values. SAS statistical tool was used to analyse the data. Vitamin C content was
found to be highest in Solanun scabrum (3.40 ± 0.1mg/100gm) under forest conditions,
followed by Launaea cornuta (3.1 ± 0.1mg/100gm) under tree growing conditions;
vitamin A content was highest in Launaea cornuta (480.6 ± 10.1μg/g) under tree growing
conditions and second highest (467.6 ± 10.1μg/g) under banana shade growing conditions.
Zinc content was highest in Bidens pilosa (9.70 ± 0.1mg/100gm) under open space
growing
conditions,
followed
by
Basella
alba
and
Solanum
Scabrum
(9.10 ± 0.1mg/100gm) under open space and banana shade growing conditions
respectively. Iron content was highest in Bidens pilosa (52.4 ± 0.4mg/100g) under banana
shade growing conditions and second highest (32.7 ± 0.4mg/100g) under forest growing
conditions, followed by Launaea cornuta (13.5 ± 0.4mg/100g) under banana shade
growing conditions; calcium content was highest in Bidens pilosa (575.7 ± 2.7mg/100g)
under banana shade growing conditions, followed by Solanum Scabrum and Basella alba
(448.2 ± 2.7mg/100g) under the same forest growing conditions; crude protein content
was highest in Solanum scabrum (6.4 ± 0.04mg/100g) under forest growing conditions,
followed by Bidens pilosa (6.3 ± 0.04mg/100g) under banana shade growing conditions;
crude fibre content, which was highest in Basella alba (1.8 ± 0.03mg/100g) under open
space growing conditions, was followed by Solanum scabrum (1.7 ± 0.04mg/100g) under
banana shade growing conditions. These findings show that domestication of wild
vegetables is possible and can equally provide quality nutrients for human consumption.
Domestication will safeguard wild vegetables from the current practise of deforestation byiii
excessive harvesting direct from natural forests. Research on seed production from wild
vegetables and distribution for domestication is recommended.
