Effects of growing conditions on quality of domesticated wild vegetables: a case of wild vegetables grown around Balangai forest reserve, Lushoto district

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.