Ethnobotanical characteristics and agricultural practices of Solanum scabrum Mill., leafy vegetables in domestication in the department of Plateau in South Benin

Solanum scabrum Mill. is an important leaf vegetable grown in the tropics and is among the traditional leafy vegetables that are more consumed in food use. In Benin this crop is underused despite its importance in human alimentation, in the traditional pharmacopeia and in socioeconomic plan. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Plateau department of southeastern Benin and trials were set up to compare the vegetative growth of the two morphotypes on the one hand and to evaluate the effect of spacings on growth. The values of diversity and fairness indices are low (ID = 0.74 <3 and IE = 0.43 <0.5), indicating an uneven distribution of knowledge about the uses of the species. It is the Nagot (Women, ID = 0.16 and IE = 0.09 and men, ID = 0.14 and IE = 0.08) who hold most of the knowledge about the species. Levels of domestication 0 and 1 were recorded in the villages of Ifangni and Sakete while in Ketou, Pobe and Adja-Ouere, levels of domestication are advanced. The Nagot practice picking, the Holli are more market gardening while the Mahi are both picking and market gardening. There is a diversity structured in two morphotypes that are distinguished by recognition traits well defined by the populations. Of the three spacings used (20x50 cm, 30x50 cm and 50x50 cm), that of 30x50cm would optimize vegetative growth and yield for a better productivity of S. scabrum. Further domestication studies are needed to promote the sustainable use of this leaf vegetable in Benin.