Homegarden plants in Legambo District (Chiro Kebele) South Wollo, Ethiopia: Future implication for food security and rehabilitation program

Abstract

Homegarden is a traditional farming practice that consists of growing adaptable landraces and endangered species which have been conserved. Previously, status of the homegarden has not been studied. Therefore, this study provided information about homegarden species composition, status and value of species for future food and rehabilitation program. The study was conducted in Chiro kebele, South Wollo of Ethiopia during February to May 2019. Totally 75 respondents were selected based on the possession of homegarden and data were collected using interviews, observation and group discussion. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and interpreted. Totally, 20 plant species distributed in 16 families were recorded. Fabaceae (25%) and Rosaceae (17%) were leading families in numbers of individual plants. Ten (50%) fodder, seven (35%) construction, six remedies and spice (30% each) and two (10%) vegetable and fruit plant species were documented. Malus domestica and Brassica carinata were the two perennial plant species used for household consumption. Hagenia abyssinica is the most accepted remedial plant followed by Solanecio gigas (Dysentery for sheep), Kalanchoe and Aloe (Wound healing), Acacia (Stomach ache for horse), and Mentha piperita (reduced kidney pain). Ruta chalepensis is predominant spice plant for tea, coffee, shiro wot, and Mitmit. Cytisus proliferus, Buddleja polystachya and Hagenia abyssinica were commonly grown bee and animal fodder plants and relevant for household and ploughing materials including Acacia and Cupressus lusitanica in the majority of homegardeners. This ecofriendly homegarden tree plants should be implicated for future plantation program.   Key words: Homegarden species, household, indigenous, predominant plant, tree.