UTILIZATION OF INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES FOR SUSTAINABLE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH
M. Saifullah1, M. A. Goffar1, S. Ahmad2 and M.A.J. Bhuyan3
1 Senior Scientific Officer, 2 Principal Scientific Officer and 3 Director, Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh. Tel. 8801712722504 Fax. 88029252713, 88029261493, Email:
Key words: Indigenous, vegetables, sustainable, production, Bangladesh
Abstract
Indigenous vegetables provide essential minerals, vitamins and amino acids that are absent in cereals and play important role for sustainable vegetable production. A wide range of vegetables are being grown in Bangladesh. Attempts have been made to collect germplasm of indigenous vegetables from different parts of the country and study their characters, yield performance and quality at Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) for the last few years. About 98 kinds of vegetables are grown in Bangladesh. Among them 45 vegetables are reported as indigenous and 20 are classified as major and 25 as minor indigenous vegetables. Most of these indigenous vegetables are grown in summer. Among the indigenous vegetables brinjal or eggplant, okra, some gourds and hyacinth bean have maximum attention while others have limited cultivation. Volunteer plants or weeds are being cultivated in different habitats in a very limited scale as minor indigenous vegetables. Farmers grow indigenous vegetables using different local cultivar/varieties according to their choice. The number of local varieties varies with the type of vegetables. Recently, BARI has developed varieties of some major indigenous vegetables like, eggplant, pointed gourd, wax gourd, bitter gourd, hyacinth bean, amaranth and okra. Indigenous vegetable contributed 52% of the total vegetable production of the country. BARI already collected 3150 accessions of different indigenous vegetables. There exists high genetic diversity of different indigenous vegetables in respect of morphological, quantitative and qualitative characters.
Introduction
Bangladesh is an important country of South Asia lying between 20.340 and 26.380 North latitude and between 88.010 and 92.410 East longitudes. It is surrounded by India in the North and West, South by Bay of Bengal and East by India and Myanmar. The country has a total area of 147570 km2 with a population of about 150 million. The country is small but has diverse ecosystems like hills, plains, coastal and wet lands. The country enjoys tropical to sub-tropical climate. In winter temperature ranges from minimum of 70C to 140C to maximum of 240C to 300C. The maximum temperature recorded in summer months is 380C although in some places this occasionally rises up to 400C or more. Average rainfall varies from 1429 mm in the North and North-West to 4338 mm in the East and South-East. Agriculture is predominant with a cropped area of 8.23 million hectare and 197% cropping intensity. Agro-ecology of the country is divided into 30 AEZs. High and medium high lands are mostly suitable for vegetable production. The South Asian region is the centre of diversification for several crop plants including vegetables (Arora, 1995). So far, 98 vegetable crops are reported to be grown in Bangladesh (Hossain, 1998). However, this figure is likely to increase with further exploration in different parts of the country especially taking into consideration the vegetable consumption pattern of different tribal people like Chakma, Marma, Khashia, Garo and Shawtal.
Bangladesh is deficient in food as well as in nutrition. It has been reported that about 40% people suffer from vitamin-A and 91% from vitamin-C, while 30% lack of sufficient minerals viz. calcium, iron and phosphorus. Incidence of infant mortality and health problem in growing children and pregnant women are also high due to micro-nutrient and vitamins deficiency (Bhuyan and Uddin, 2010). There is a big gap between the vegetable productions estimated at about 2.90 million MT and the national requirement estimated at about 11.00 million MT (BBS, 2009). This is likely to expand further with the increase in population. The consumption of vegetable per head per day is only 53g as against the minimum requirement of 220g per head per day which indicates that the present production can meet only 25% of requirement. However, there is an increasing trend of vegetable production in recent years. The area under vegetable increased from 0.185 million hectare to 0.356 million hectare during the period from 1994-95 to 2008-2009. The average yield of vegetable in Bangladesh is about 8.16t/ha (BBS, 2009). The low productivity is mainly due to lack of improved varieties, disease and pest infestation, environmental stress and traditional cultivation procedure. Varieties/cultivar with desired traits is needed to overcome these problems. Meanwhile, there have been some attempts to collect and conserved germplasm of some important indigenous vegetables in Bangladesh. Very few indigenous vegetable got attention but most of the indigenous vegetables have not yet got their due importance in crop improvement programs. Hence, much remains to be done. Germplasm must be collected, evaluated, conservation, utilization and used to improve yield and quality for sustainable development in vegetable production.
INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES
Indigenous means native to a country or region. Accordingly, the vegetables originated either in Bangladesh or other parts of South Asia are classified as indigenous vegetables. These vegetables were identified after reviewing different references (Arora, 1995; Bose and Som, 1986; Rashid, 1993; Siemonsma and Piluek, 1994; Whitaker and Davis, 1962; Yamaguchi, 1983, Hossain and Razzaque, 1999, Rashid et al., 2006). Considering extent of larger cultivation and consumption 20 vegetables are grouped as major indigenous vegetables in Bangladesh (Table 1).
Table 1. List of major indigenous vegetables
Sl. No. / English name / Local name / Scientific name / Family1. / Brinjal / Begun / Solanum melongena / Solanaceae
2 / Wax gourd / Chalkumra / Benincasa hispida / Cucurbitaceae
3. / Pointed gourd / Patal / Trichosanthes dioica / Cucurbitaceae
4. / Ribbed gourd / Jhinga / Luffa acutagula / Cucurbitaceae
5. / Sponge gourd / Dhundul / Luffa cylindrica / Cucurbitaceae
6. / Snake gourd / Chichinga / Trichosanthes anguina / Cucurbitaceae
7. / Teasle gourd / Kakrol / Momordica dioica / Cucurbitaceae
8. / Bitter gourd / Korola / Momordica charantia / Cucurbitaceae
9. / Cucumber / Shasha / Cucumis sativus / Cucurbitaceae
10. / Hyacinth bean / Sheem / Lablab niger / Leguminaceae
11. / Okra / Dherosh / Abelmoschus esculentus / Malvaceae
12. / Indian spinach / Puishak / Basella spp / Basellaceae
13. / Water spinach / Kalmi / Ipomoea aquatica / Convolvulaceae
14. / Mustard green / Sarishasak / Brassica spp / Cruciferae
15. / Stem amaranth / Danta / Amaranthus lividus / Amaranthaceae
16. / Red amaranth / Lalsak / Amaranthus gangeticus / Amaranthaceae
17. / Jute leaf / Patsak / Corchorus spp / Tiliaceae
18. / Taro / Kachu / Colocasia spp / Araceae
19. / Plantain / Kanchkala / Musa paradisiaca / Musaceae
20. / Drumstick / Sajina / Moringa oleifera / Moringaceae
The indigenous vegetables those have limited cultivation and consumption are grown in the habitats or weeds are classified as minor or underutilized indigenous vegetables (Table 2).
Table 2. List of minor indigenous vegetables
Sl. No. / English name / Local name / Scientific name / Family1. / Winged bean / Kamranga sheem / Psophocarpus tetragonolobus / Leguminaceae
2. / Sword bean / Makhan sheem / Canavalia ensiformis / Leguminaceae
3. / Lima bean / Rukuri / Phaseolus limensis / Leguminaceae
4. / Yam bean / Sakalu / Pachyrrhizus tuberosa / Leguminaceae
5. / Cucumber (short) / Khira / Cucumis anguina / Cucurbitaceae
6. / Ivy gourd / Talakuchi / Coccinia grandis / Cucurbitaceae
7. / Tripatri leaves / Tripatrishak / Desmodium trifolium / Leguminaceae
8. / Spiny amaranth / Katanotey / Amaranthus spinosus / Amaranthaceae
9. / Leaf amaranth / Shaknotey / Amaranthus viridis / Amaranthaceae
10. / Haicha / Chanchi / Alternanthera sessilis / Amaranthaceae
11. / Goose foot / Bathua / Chenopodium album / Chenopodiaceae
12. / Marsh herb / Helencha / Enhydra fluctuans / Compositeae
13. / Indian penny wort / Thankuni / Centella asiatica / Umbelliferae
14. / Sorrel / Tak palang / Rumex vesicarius / Polygonaceae
15. / Malencha / Malencha / Jussiaea repens / Onagraceae
16. / Wood sorrel / Amrulshak / Oxalis corniculata / Oxalidaceae
17. / Garden purslane / Nunia / Portulaca oleracea / Portulacaceae
18. / Laffa / Laffa / Malva verticillata / Malvaceae
19. / Fern / Dhekishak / Dryopteris filix-mas / Polypodiaceae
20. / Water cress / Shachi / Nasturtium officinale / Cruciferae
21. / Tannia / Moulavikachu / Xanthosoma atrovirens / Araceae
22. / White yam / Matey alu / Dioscorea alata / Dioscoreaceae
23. / Water plantain / Shamkala / Ottelia alismoides / Hydrocharitaceae
24. / Lotus / Padma / Nelumbo nucifera / Nymphaeaceae
25. / Water lily / Shapla / Nymphaea nouchali / Nymphaeaceae
Research and Development on Indigenous Vegetables
Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) is mainly mandated for doing research on vegetable crops. However, agricultural universities of the country are also doing research on vegetables especially for academic purposes. A brief account of research and development conducted by BARI on indigenous vegetables are discussed below.
Major Indigenous Vegetables
Brinjal (Solanum melongena): Brinjal is the major vegetable in Bangladesh grown all over the country. Indian Sub-continent is the centre of origin of brinjal and there exist diversification in respect of size, shape, colour, growing season etc. BARI has developed 10 brinjal varieties including two hybrids.
1. BARI Begun-1: High yielding, cluster type brinjal variety, prolific bearer, 80-90 fruits/plant, fruit length 18-20 cm, fruit weight 55-60g, yield is about 50 t/ha.
2. BARI Begun-2(Hybrid): Oblong shaped fruits with shiny deep purple colour, number of fruits per plant 60-70, individual fruit weight 125-150g , yield is about 60 t/ha.
3. BARI Begun-3(hybrid): Fruits are long, cylindrical, purple colour, 100-110 fruits/plant.Yield is about 65 t/ha.
4. BARI Begun-4: Fruit shape oblong, shiny blackish purple colour. Number of fruits/plant is about 70-80, single fruit weight is about 55-65 g. Fruit yield is 60 t/ha.
5. BARI Begun-5: Early bearer and fruits are round with shiny deep purple colour. Average fruit weight 120-150g and number of fruits per plant 10-15, yield is about 40-45 t/ha.
6. BARI Begun-6: Number of fruits per plant 15-17, fruit weight 225-250g, fruit are light green, round shape, tolerant to Bacterial wilt and Jassid, yield is about 45-50 t/ha.
7. BARI Begun-7: Number of fruits per plant 30-35, fruit weight 80-90g, fruit is deep purple long cylindrical, tolerant to bacterial wilt. Yield is about 40 t/ha.
8. BARI Begun-8: Number of fruits per plant 30-40, suitable for growing in summer, fruit weight 70-80g, fruit is deep purple, shape is long cylindrical, resistant to bacterial wilt. Yield is about 40-50 t/ha.
9. BARI Begun-9: Ovoid shaped fruits, shiny deep green fruit skin with white dotted stripe from the tip, 35-40 fruits/plant, average fruit weight 90-110g.Yield is about 50-55 t/ha.
10. BARI Begun-10: Heat tolerant, suitable for growing round the year, long cylindrical shaped fruits having round tip, attractive shiny deep brick purple fruit skin colour, plants moderately resistant to bacterial wilt, nematodes, aphid and jassid. Yield is about 50-55t/ha.
Hyacinth Bean (Lablab niger): About 212 germplasm have already been collected from home and abroad.
BARI have developed and released five varieties.
1. BARI Sheem-1: Pods are fleshy and soft, early bearer, number of pods/plant 450-500, tolerant to virus. Yield is 20-22t/ha.
2. BARI Sheem-2: Pods are fleshy and soft, first harvest begins from third week of October, number of pods/plant 350-400. Tolerant to virus diseases. Yield is 11-12t/ha.
3. BARI Sheem-3: Number of pods per plant 250-275, deep green flat wide pod. It can be grown round the year. Yield is 9-10t/ha.
4. BARI Sheem-4: Pods are borne in cluster (6-12 pods/cluster), 280-300pods/plant.Pods are cylindrical, soft, fleshy, less fibrous, long and narrow. Pods are “Noldoc” type (sickle shaped), bold seeded with attractive. Yield is 15-18t/ha.
5. BARI Sheem-5: Dwarf (35-45cm) plant height. It can be grown without trellis. Number of pods/plant is 50-60. Pods are soft and fleshy. Short duration crop (50-60 days).Yield is 12-14t/ha.
Pointed Gourd (Trichosanthes dioica): Forty germplasm have been collected from across the country. Through evaluation and selection two high yielding varieties have been developed and released.
1. BARI Patal-1: Light green fruit with 10-11 white stripe, fruit length 11-12 cm, average fruit weight 25-30g. Number of fruit per plant is around 240. Yield is 30 t/ha.
2. BARI Patal-2: Deep green fruit colour with 9-10 light green stripes. Fruit length 9-10 cm. Average fruit weight 35-40g.Number of fruits per plant 300-350, yield is about 35 t/ha.
Stem Amaranth (Amaranthus lividus): About 208 germplasm have been collected and evaluated and two varieties have been developed and released.
1. BARI Danta-1: Stem is light purple, soft, less fibrous and erect. Dominant purple at the ventral and dark green at dorsal side of leaf, edible maturity attains within 40-45 days after sowing. Yield is about 35-40 t/ha.
2. BARI Danta-2: Lower 2/3rd portion of stem is light purple and the rest upper part is green. Leaves are green, very quick growing vegetables. Yield is around 30-32 t/ha.
Ribbed Gourd (Luffa acutangula): One hundred and one germplasm have been collected. Through selection one variety has been developed and one will be released very soon.
1. BARI Jhinga-1: Attractive deep green in colour, large elongated fruit with well defined ridge.
Average marketable fruit weight 125 g. Yield is 25 t/ha.
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus): One hundred seventy five accessions have been collected and one variety is developed.
1. BARI Dherosh-1: Tolerant to yellow vein mosaic virus. Plants are indeterminate, erect having 2-3 branches. Fruits are green with 5 marked ridges and 8-10 cm long at edible stage. Each plant produces 30-35 fruits. Yield is about 14-18 t/ha.
Bitter gourd (Momodica charantia): One hundred and forty germplasm have been collected from home and abroad. One variety named BARI Korola-1 has been released.
1. BARI Korola-1: Deep green fruit color. Average fruit weight 100g. Number of fruits per plant is 30-35. Fruit length 17-18cm. Yield is about 25-30 t/ha.
Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida): Two hundred and five germplasm have been collected and evaluated, one variety is developed and released.