Matching Shades of Forest Environment to sustain Crude Fibre and Mineral Contents in Domesticated Species of Wild Vegetables

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the most suitable types of shades under which domesticated wild Vegetables can be grown to sustain their mineral content values. Seeds from Solana scabrum, Launaea cornuta, Bidens pilosa and Basella alba – the most preferred wild Vegetables in the study area were collected, managed and then sown in nurseries and planted under different types of shades. Five different types of shades were employed as experimental treatments using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The natural forest condition served as a control. Samples of the edible parts from the domesticated and wild Vegetables were harvested for laboratory  analysis for calcium, zinc, iron and crude fibre using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer method. It was found that different types of shades have different effects on the contents of calcium, zinc, iron and crude fibre of domesticated wild Vegetables.