Castor bean: main uses and biodiversity in the Adamawa, Cameroon

Abstract

Ricinus communis L. (castor bean) is an oilseed plant with multiple socio-economic benefits. It grows wild in Cameroon. The study aimed at determining main uses, describing, evaluating the carbon stock as well as carbon credits and geolocalizing castor bean accessions from Adamawa Cameroon. The location of various sites for ethnobotanical survey was identified by random sampling techniques which consist in randomly selecting the various locations, overall sample consists of 1440 peoples; the respondents were questioned individually using a questionnaire form. Results showed that castor bean is used to treat several diseases; seeds oil is consumed and plants present margico-religious powers. Four local castor bean accessions (Vina, Martap, Nyambaka and Bélel) were identified. Overall, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between castor bean accessions identified with respect to the physical characteristics of vegetative organs and seeds. Plants of Bélel accession were tallest (302.96 ± 44.36 cm) while the smallest plants height (148.63 ± 19.05 cm) were from Vina accession. Vina accession was the most widespread while Nyambaka and Bélel accessions were the least widespread in the study areas. This information will be useful in the implantation program of castor bean as alternative crop of the Cameroonian agriculture.

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Keywords: Ricinus communis L., ethnobotanical survey, vegetative organs, carbon stock, geolocalizing, Adamawa-Cameroon