Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement (Jan 2015)
Connaissances ethnobotaniques du baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) au Togo
Abstract
Ethnobotanical knowledge of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in Togo. Description of the subject. An ethnobotanical study was conducted from 2010 to 2011 across the country of Togo in order to investigate the population's ethnobotanical knowledge of the African baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.). Objectives. The overall objective of this study was to contribute to the conservation of the baobab species and the promotion of its products. The specific objectives were: (i) to assess the variation in endogenous knowledge of uses of baobab according to ethnic group, gender, age, religion and occupation, and (ii) to determine the inter-ethnic convergence of the use of different parts of the species. Method. Data collection was based on a series of 205 ethnobotanical semi-structured individual and focus group interviews, involving 712 respondents from 16 ethnic groups. The assessment of the participants' knowledge was based on four use indices: the mean reported use of the plant, the plant part value, the specific use value and the interspecific use value. Results. The results showed a significant difference in use knowledge between ethnic groups (p = 0.000). However, sex, age, religion, and occupation did not affect the level of knowledge. The following ethnic groups such as the Kabyè, Moba, Gourma, and Nawdba, located in the northern part of the country showed the highest level of knowledge regarding the use of different parts of the baobab, while the ethnic groups composed by the Akposso, Ewé and Mina, located in the southern part, used the plant less. Dietary (99.51%) and therapeutic uses of the baobab (80%) were the most reported. The plant parts reported as being the most used were the pulp (92.20%) and the leaves (87.32%). Conclusions. In view of the ever increasing importance of the baobab (dietary, therapeutic, economic, etc.), it is imperative that the promotion of the conservation of this species through the rational utilization of its different parts be a priority as part of the global strategy for phytogenetic resource conservation.
