Plant species composition and product utility pattern of Garo homegardens in Meghalaya, India
Article Main
Abstract
Home garden is a traditional landuse system practiced by many rural households in the tropical region. The composition and management practices within homegardens are largely driven by cultural setup and ecological conditions. The present study characterized the plant species composition, utility patterns and management of Garo homegardens in Dadenggre block, West Garo Hill district of Meghalaya, India. Fifty households from 5 villages were randomly selected and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The homegardens size ranged between 0.07 and 1.29ha, harbouring 132 plant species, out of which 74 species were trees, 19 shrubs and 39 herbs. Among the perennials, Areca catechu (areca nut) was the most common contributor to household earnings. When species were grouped into 9 utility classes (timber, medicinal, fruit, fuelwood, fodder, vegetables, ornamental, spice, and others), highest number was for fuelwood, followed by vegetables and fruits. The average household income was Rs. 318/100m2, the highest contribution from the sale of vegetables. Various home garden management activities were conducted, engaging family members and generating employment for others. Animal rearing is common in many households and the application of animal manure and household waste has helped maintain soil fertility of homegardens’ soils. Homegardens are integral to the Garo society, contributing significantly to household needs and activities.
Article Details
Article Details
Keywords
Income, Landuse, Management, Relative occurrence, Soil fertility
References
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Bargali, K.(2015). Comparative Participation of rural women in agroforestry home gardens in Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, 6 (1), 16–22
Benu, P. P., Durga, D., Krishna, K. P.&Ram, H. T. (2021). Assessment of the contribution of home garden and its component on household income and home garden income of disadvantaged groups (DAGs) in Jhapa district of Nepal. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 6(4), 16-21
Bray, R.H. & Kurtz, I.T. (1945). Determination of total organic and available forms of phosphorus in soil. Soil Science, 59, 36-46
Bremner, J.M. & Mulvaney, C.S. (1982). Nitrogen-total. In: Page, A.L., Miller, R.L., Keeny, D.R. (Eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis. Part-2, Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Agronomy Monograph 9. Agronomy Society of America, Madison, WI, pp 595-613
Bshar, S.B. (2017). Tree Diversity in Homegarden Land Use of Mawsmai Village Karst Landscape, Meghalaya, Northeast, India. International Journal of Environment, Ecology, Family and Urban Studies, 3(7), 33-42
Buchmann, C. (2009). Cuban home gardens and their role in social-ecological resilience.Human Ecology: An Interdisciplinary Journal,37 (6), 17p. DOI:10.1007/s10745-009-9283-9
Das, T. & Das, A. (2005). Inventorying plant biodiversity in homegardens: A case study in Barak Valley, Assam, North East India. Current Science, 89, 155-163
Eibl, B., Fernández, R., Kozarik, J.C., Lupi, A., Montagnini, F. &Nozzi, D. (2000). Agroforestry systems with Ilex paraguariensis (American Holly or yerba mate) and native timber trees on small farms in Misiones, Argentina.Agroforestry System,48, 1 – 8
Gupta, P.K. (1999). Soil, plant, water and fertilizer analysis.Agrobios (india) Agro House, Jodhpur India, 93-95 pp
Habtamu, T., Yazie, C.&Minuyelet,J. (2015). Establishment of Model Home Garden for HomeConsumption and Income Generation of Poor and HIVVictim Women at Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 183-189DOI: 10.17265/2161-6256/2015.03.004
Konyak, T.,Kumar,H.,Kumari, R. &Umrao, R. (2022). Impact of traditional home garden on socio-economy across altitudinal gradient of Mon District in Nagaland.Life Science Research.Emer Life Sci Res, 8(1), 104-113
Kumar, B.M. &Nair, P.K.R. (2004). The enigma of tropical homegardens. 2004. Agroforestry Systems, 61, 135–152
Leishangthem, L. & Sahoo, U.K. (2020). Mizo Homegardenspromotes biodiversity conservation, nutritional security and environmental development in northeast India.Acta Ecologica Sinica, 42(2). DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2021.12.005
Mao, A., Sinha, B. K., Verma, D. & Sarma, N. (2016). Checklist of Flora of Meghalaya
Marsh, R. (1998). Building on traditional gardening to improve household food security. Food NutrAgr, 22, 4-14
Mekonen, T., Giday, M. & Kelbessa, E. (2015). Ethnobotanical study of homegarden plants in Sebeta-Awas District of the Oromia Region of Ethiopia to assess use, species diversity and management practices. J EthnobiolEthnomed, 22, 11:64
Méndez, V. E., Lok, R. & Somarriba, E. (2001). Interdisciplinary analysis of homegardens in Nicaragua: micro-zonation, plant use and socioeconomic importance. Agroforestry Systems, 51, 85–96
Pandey, D.K., Momin, K.C., Dubey, S.K.&Adhiguru, P. (2022). Biodiversity in agricultural and food systems of jhum landscape in the West Garo Hills, North-eastern India. Food Sec, 14, 791–804. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-021-01251-y
Prasai, B. P., Devkota, D., Pant, K. K. & Timilsina, R. H. (2021). Assessment of the contribution of home garden and its component on household income and home garden income of disadvantaged groups (DAGs) in Jhapa district of Nepal. International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology, 6(4),016-021. DOI:10.22161/ijeab.64.3
Ramli, M. R., Pozi, M. &Sorayya, M. (2021). Species composition, diversity and traditional uses of plants in homegardens in Kampung Masjid Ijok, Perak, Malaysia. Biodiversitas, 22 (4), 1902-1911. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d220438
Rammohan, A., Pritchard, B. & Dibley M. (2019). Home gardens as a predictor of enhanced dietary diversity and food security in rural Myanmar. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1145. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7440-7
Renuka, K., Thanilini, J.,Chandima, W.,Anoma, J. M., Aruna, P. K., Sanath, T. K. & Emmanuel F. (2019). Organized homegardens contribute to micronutrient intakes and dietary diversity of rural households in Sri Lanka. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, DOI:10.3389/fsufs.2019.00094
Rocky, P. & Sahoo, U.K. (2018). Traditional Homegardens of Mizoram and Their Socio-Economic Development.Forests, Climate Change and Biodiversity,Kalyani Publisher, New Delhi. pp.102-126
Sahoo, U.K. (2009). Traditional homegardens and livelihood security in North-East India. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 7(2), 665-670
Sahoo U.K. & Rocky P. (2019). Proximate constituents of some homegarden food crops and household food security in Mizoram, northeastIndia. Indian Journal of Hill Farming, 32 (1), 71-78.
Saikia, P.B.I., Choudhury, B. & Khan, M. L. (2012). Floristic composition and plant utilization pattern in homegardens of Upper Assam, India.Tropical Ecology, 53(1), 105-118.
Sharma, R., Mina, U. & Kumar, B.M. (2022). Homegarden agroforestry systems in achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. A review.Agron. Sustain., Dev. 42, 44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-022-00781-9
Sheeba, R. I. (2015). Structural diversity and nutrient recycling potentials of three selected agroforestry homegardens in southern Kerala. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research, 1(8), 6-11
Shi, J., Ho, C. T. & Shahidi, F. (2011). Functional Foods of the East. Boca Raton, FL; London; New York, NY, CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b10264
Shimrah, T., Lungleng, P., Shimrah, C., Khuman, Y. S. C. & Varah, F. (2018).Role of traditional homegardens in biodiversity conservation and socioe-cological significance in Tangkhul community in Northeast India.Tropical Ecology,59(3), 533–539.
Tangjang, S. &Arunachalam, A. (2009). Role of traditional homegarden systems in northeast India.Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 8(1), 8, 47–50.
Tangjang, S.&Arunachalam, A. (2017).TraditionalHomegardens in Rural Landscapes of Northeast India – A Model for Conserving Plant Species for Sustainability. Indian Journal of Hill Farming,30(2), 313-325.
Tynsong,H.&Tiwari, B.K. (2010). Plant Diversity in the Homegardens and their Significance in the Livelihoods of War Khasi Community of Meghalaya, North-EastIndia. Journal of Biodiversity,1, 1–11.
Vieira, T. A., Rosa, L. S., Santos, M. M. L. S., dos Santos, C. A. A., Lustosa, D. C. & dos Santos, A. P. A. (2016). Chemical properties of soils in agroforestry homegardens and other land use systems in Eastern Amazon , Brazil. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(29), 2616-2622.
Vinujan, S., Sivachandiran, S., Sivananthawerl, T. & Phuspakumara, D. (2016). Plant Diversity and Income Generation of Homegardens in Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences,12 (6), 393-403. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjas.2016.393.403
Walkley, A.&Black, I.A. (1934). Rapid titration method of organic carbon of soils. Soil Science, 37, 29-33.
Whitney, C. W., Bahati, J. & Gebauer, J. (2018). Ethnobotany and Agrobiodiversity: Valuation of Plants in the Homegardens of Southwestern Uganda. Ethnobiology Letters,9(2), 90-100. https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.9.2.2 018.503
Yinebeb, M., Lulekal, E. & Bekele, T. (2022). Composition of homegarden plants and cultural use in an indigenous community in Northwest Ethiopia. J EthnobiolEthnomed, 18(1), 47. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00545-5
Zhang, Y., Yang, L.X., Li, M. X., Guo, Y. J., Li, S. & Wang, Y. H. (2020). The best choices: the diversity and functions of the plants in the home gardens of the Tsang-la (MotuoMenba) communities in YarlungTsangpo Grand Canyon, Southwest China. J EthnobiolEthnomed, 16(1), 50. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00395-z
Barbhuiya, A.R., Sahoo, U.K.&Upadhyaya, K. (2016). Plant diversity in the indigenous home gardens in the eastern Himalayan region of Mizoram, Northeast India.Economic Botany, 70(2), 115–131
Bargali, K.(2015). Comparative Participation of rural women in agroforestry home gardens in Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, 6 (1), 16–22
Benu, P. P., Durga, D., Krishna, K. P.&Ram, H. T. (2021). Assessment of the contribution of home garden and its component on household income and home garden income of disadvantaged groups (DAGs) in Jhapa district of Nepal. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 6(4), 16-21
Bray, R.H. & Kurtz, I.T. (1945). Determination of total organic and available forms of phosphorus in soil. Soil Science, 59, 36-46
Bremner, J.M. & Mulvaney, C.S. (1982). Nitrogen-total. In: Page, A.L., Miller, R.L., Keeny, D.R. (Eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis. Part-2, Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Agronomy Monograph 9. Agronomy Society of America, Madison, WI, pp 595-613
Bshar, S.B. (2017). Tree Diversity in Homegarden Land Use of Mawsmai Village Karst Landscape, Meghalaya, Northeast, India. International Journal of Environment, Ecology, Family and Urban Studies, 3(7), 33-42
Buchmann, C. (2009). Cuban home gardens and their role in social-ecological resilience.Human Ecology: An Interdisciplinary Journal,37 (6), 17p. DOI:10.1007/s10745-009-9283-9
Das, T. & Das, A. (2005). Inventorying plant biodiversity in homegardens: A case study in Barak Valley, Assam, North East India. Current Science, 89, 155-163
Eibl, B., Fernández, R., Kozarik, J.C., Lupi, A., Montagnini, F. &Nozzi, D. (2000). Agroforestry systems with Ilex paraguariensis (American Holly or yerba mate) and native timber trees on small farms in Misiones, Argentina.Agroforestry System,48, 1 – 8
Gupta, P.K. (1999). Soil, plant, water and fertilizer analysis.Agrobios (india) Agro House, Jodhpur India, 93-95 pp
Habtamu, T., Yazie, C.&Minuyelet,J. (2015). Establishment of Model Home Garden for HomeConsumption and Income Generation of Poor and HIVVictim Women at Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 183-189DOI: 10.17265/2161-6256/2015.03.004
Konyak, T.,Kumar,H.,Kumari, R. &Umrao, R. (2022). Impact of traditional home garden on socio-economy across altitudinal gradient of Mon District in Nagaland.Life Science Research.Emer Life Sci Res, 8(1), 104-113
Kumar, B.M. &Nair, P.K.R. (2004). The enigma of tropical homegardens. 2004. Agroforestry Systems, 61, 135–152
Leishangthem, L. & Sahoo, U.K. (2020). Mizo Homegardenspromotes biodiversity conservation, nutritional security and environmental development in northeast India.Acta Ecologica Sinica, 42(2). DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2021.12.005
Mao, A., Sinha, B. K., Verma, D. & Sarma, N. (2016). Checklist of Flora of Meghalaya
Marsh, R. (1998). Building on traditional gardening to improve household food security. Food NutrAgr, 22, 4-14
Mekonen, T., Giday, M. & Kelbessa, E. (2015). Ethnobotanical study of homegarden plants in Sebeta-Awas District of the Oromia Region of Ethiopia to assess use, species diversity and management practices. J EthnobiolEthnomed, 22, 11:64
Méndez, V. E., Lok, R. & Somarriba, E. (2001). Interdisciplinary analysis of homegardens in Nicaragua: micro-zonation, plant use and socioeconomic importance. Agroforestry Systems, 51, 85–96
Pandey, D.K., Momin, K.C., Dubey, S.K.&Adhiguru, P. (2022). Biodiversity in agricultural and food systems of jhum landscape in the West Garo Hills, North-eastern India. Food Sec, 14, 791–804. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-021-01251-y
Prasai, B. P., Devkota, D., Pant, K. K. & Timilsina, R. H. (2021). Assessment of the contribution of home garden and its component on household income and home garden income of disadvantaged groups (DAGs) in Jhapa district of Nepal. International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology, 6(4),016-021. DOI:10.22161/ijeab.64.3
Ramli, M. R., Pozi, M. &Sorayya, M. (2021). Species composition, diversity and traditional uses of plants in homegardens in Kampung Masjid Ijok, Perak, Malaysia. Biodiversitas, 22 (4), 1902-1911. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d220438
Rammohan, A., Pritchard, B. & Dibley M. (2019). Home gardens as a predictor of enhanced dietary diversity and food security in rural Myanmar. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1145. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7440-7
Renuka, K., Thanilini, J.,Chandima, W.,Anoma, J. M., Aruna, P. K., Sanath, T. K. & Emmanuel F. (2019). Organized homegardens contribute to micronutrient intakes and dietary diversity of rural households in Sri Lanka. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, DOI:10.3389/fsufs.2019.00094
Rocky, P. & Sahoo, U.K. (2018). Traditional Homegardens of Mizoram and Their Socio-Economic Development.Forests, Climate Change and Biodiversity,Kalyani Publisher, New Delhi. pp.102-126
Sahoo, U.K. (2009). Traditional homegardens and livelihood security in North-East India. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 7(2), 665-670
Sahoo U.K. & Rocky P. (2019). Proximate constituents of some homegarden food crops and household food security in Mizoram, northeastIndia. Indian Journal of Hill Farming, 32 (1), 71-78.
Saikia, P.B.I., Choudhury, B. & Khan, M. L. (2012). Floristic composition and plant utilization pattern in homegardens of Upper Assam, India.Tropical Ecology, 53(1), 105-118.
Sharma, R., Mina, U. & Kumar, B.M. (2022). Homegarden agroforestry systems in achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. A review.Agron. Sustain., Dev. 42, 44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-022-00781-9
Sheeba, R. I. (2015). Structural diversity and nutrient recycling potentials of three selected agroforestry homegardens in southern Kerala. International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research, 1(8), 6-11
Shi, J., Ho, C. T. & Shahidi, F. (2011). Functional Foods of the East. Boca Raton, FL; London; New York, NY, CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b10264
Shimrah, T., Lungleng, P., Shimrah, C., Khuman, Y. S. C. & Varah, F. (2018).Role of traditional homegardens in biodiversity conservation and socioe-cological significance in Tangkhul community in Northeast India.Tropical Ecology,59(3), 533–539.
Tangjang, S. &Arunachalam, A. (2009). Role of traditional homegarden systems in northeast India.Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 8(1), 8, 47–50.
Tangjang, S.&Arunachalam, A. (2017).TraditionalHomegardens in Rural Landscapes of Northeast India – A Model for Conserving Plant Species for Sustainability. Indian Journal of Hill Farming,30(2), 313-325.
Tynsong,H.&Tiwari, B.K. (2010). Plant Diversity in the Homegardens and their Significance in the Livelihoods of War Khasi Community of Meghalaya, North-EastIndia. Journal of Biodiversity,1, 1–11.
Vieira, T. A., Rosa, L. S., Santos, M. M. L. S., dos Santos, C. A. A., Lustosa, D. C. & dos Santos, A. P. A. (2016). Chemical properties of soils in agroforestry homegardens and other land use systems in Eastern Amazon , Brazil. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(29), 2616-2622.
Vinujan, S., Sivachandiran, S., Sivananthawerl, T. & Phuspakumara, D. (2016). Plant Diversity and Income Generation of Homegardens in Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences,12 (6), 393-403. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjas.2016.393.403
Walkley, A.&Black, I.A. (1934). Rapid titration method of organic carbon of soils. Soil Science, 37, 29-33.
Whitney, C. W., Bahati, J. & Gebauer, J. (2018). Ethnobotany and Agrobiodiversity: Valuation of Plants in the Homegardens of Southwestern Uganda. Ethnobiology Letters,9(2), 90-100. https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.9.2.2 018.503
Yinebeb, M., Lulekal, E. & Bekele, T. (2022). Composition of homegarden plants and cultural use in an indigenous community in Northwest Ethiopia. J EthnobiolEthnomed, 18(1), 47. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00545-5
Zhang, Y., Yang, L.X., Li, M. X., Guo, Y. J., Li, S. & Wang, Y. H. (2020). The best choices: the diversity and functions of the plants in the home gardens of the Tsang-la (MotuoMenba) communities in YarlungTsangpo Grand Canyon, Southwest China. J EthnobiolEthnomed, 16(1), 50. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00395-z
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Plant species composition and product utility pattern of Garo homegardens in Meghalaya, India. (2023). Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 15(2), 454-463. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v15i2.4099
