Characterisation and distribution of indigenous plants research in Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON) publications

Abstract

A survey was conducted to assess the effort and input of horticultural crops scientists in research and development of the rich indigenous plant resources of sub-Saharan Africa in Nigerian agroecosystems as evidenced in their reportage in the Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON) annual conference proceedings between 2001-2011. Enumeration of technical papers on indigenous food/fruit plant species in relation to the total number of published papers per conference proceedings was taken. The data were characterized according to areas of research and the given indigenous plants studied. Results revealed sub-total of 140 papers that related to specific indigenous plant, out of grand total of 575 papers across the period under review. This gave an annual mean of 19.71 % ± 6.37SD in relation to the other technical papers, most of which were from adapted exotic crop species. Distribution of papers into major areas of horticultural research showed that vegetable agronomy has 50.4%, spices/medicinal plants production 19.6 %, fruit /other tree crops 12..86 %, plant protection 8.57 %, post harvest physiology 2.86 %, and socio-economic/extension services 5.71 %, excluding floriculture. Thirty nine different indigenous plant species were reported to have been studied; and these comprised often vegetables, fifteen spices/medicinal plants, and fourteen fruit/nut and other tree crops. Abelmoschusesculentus, Telfairiaoccidentalis, Celosia argentea, Hibiscus sabderiffa, Parkiabiglobosa, Treculiaafricana and Irvingia spp among others, were the frontline indigenous plants that recorded relatively more frequent published articles.