Vladimir Verner

Ethnobotanical knowledge and agrobiodiversity in subsistence farming: case study of home gardens in Phong My commune, central Vietnam

Ethnobotanical survey was conducted in 101 randomly selected home gardens of Phong My commune, central Vietnam, situated in the buffer-zone of Natural Reserve. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and direct observation. Sixty-seven species belonging to 35 families were identified to be used for various purposes. For each species the botanical and vernacular names, plant parts used and main purposes of use are given. The major use categories reported for plant species were food (86%), medicine (32%) and firewood (32%), however, seventy-seven percent of all inventoried plants have multiple uses. The species Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Citrus grandis Osbeck, Citrusreticulata Blanco, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. and Musa spp. were identified as the main sources of plant foods consumed within the households. Statistical analyses indicated by Shannon-Wiener and Margalef indices have shown that local species diversity and richness is affected by home garden size. On the contrary, no relationship between diversity and home garden age was found. On the basis of a cluster analysis of plant species diversity, five home garden types were differentiated. In comparison to previously reported studies on tropical home gardens, the diversity in Phong My is lower, probably due to market-oriented strategy. Nevertheless, based on the results achieved, we can conclude that useful plants cultivated in local home gardens provide valuable foods complementing daily diet and subsequently contributing to socioeconomic status of the households.

Prevalence and use of herbal products in the Czech Republic: Over-the-counter survey among adult pharmacies clients

OBJECTIVES To analyse which species of herbs are preferred by Czech adult respondents, the most important predictors influencing their use, and information sources used. METHOD Data were collected face-to-face via an interviewer-administrated structured questionnaire from convenience sample of adults from metropolis, as well as peri-urban and rural areas, from February to June 2007. RESULTS There is a high prevalence (56.6%) of herbal product (HPs) use as well as herb-drug co-medication without frequent physician consultation. Literature is the main source of herbal product information, followed by mass media (20%) and family tradition (12%). In comparison to other countries, differences in urban-rural perspectives were observed regarding information sources as well as preferences of local herb species. Mentha × piperita (18.4%), Melissa officinalis (12.4%), Plantago lanceolata (12.2%), Tilia cordata (11.8%) and Matricaria recutita (10.7%) are the most preferred herb species for herbal products preparation. Gender, educational status and age are significant factors that influence the number of herb species used. Head or chest colds, stomach or intestinal illnesses and immunity and regeneration support are the most common ailments treated by herbal products according to our respondents. CONCLUSION High utilisation of herbal products was confirmed and the most important predictors of use were identified. Further research is needed to validate and/or replicate our results. Our survey may provide a basis for pharmacists, physicians, healthcare providers as well as for policy makers to effectively manage increasing prevalence of herbal products among the Czech population.

Evaluation of physical properties of rice used in traditional Kyrgyz Cuisine

Abstract Eight staple rice cultivars consumed in Kyrgyzstan were evaluated for physical properties in this study. The dimensions of investigated grains correspond to 5.29–6.99 mm for length, 2.52–3.10 mm for width, and 1.88–2.13 for thickness. Equivalent diameter was in range of 3.14 – 3.47 mm, surface area took 25.35–31.90 mm². The sphericity analysis values varied from 0.480 to 0.559, aspect ratio from 0.39 to 0.55, volume of the grain was measured in range from 16.25 to 22.02 mm3, bulk density values were 0.77–0.87 g/cm3, and solid density from 1.17 to 1.41 g/cm3. The porosity of grain was equal to 28.27–39.83%, thousand kernel weight correspond to 19.67 to 27.15 g, rupture force of grain was measured in range of 63.47–155.50 N, color characteristic varied in parameters L*, a* and b*, 37.58–72.19, –0.22–10.17, and 9.65–21.12, respectively. Optimum cooking time ranged from 19.33 to 33.00 min. The water uptake ratios for 30 min of soaking were 1.21–1.28, 1.18–1.45, and 1.14–1.57 for 30, 45, and 60°C, respectively. While the water uptake ratios for 60 min of soaking were 1.22–1.42, 1.19–1.54, and 1.25–1.75 for 30, 45, and 60°C, respectively. Optimal cooking time showed that imported varieties needed lower interval for full grain cooking compared to the local Kyrgyz varieties. It was found that Kyrgyz rice varieties staying more firm after cooking as compared to imported varieties and therefore more suitable for the local traditional dish such as plov.

Multistrata Systems: Potentials and Challenges of Cocoa-based Agroforests in the Humid Tropics

Multistrata agroforests comprise a wide range of agroforestry practices that includes assemblage of woody and nonwoody plant components, with the wide range of practices on the continuum from using shade trees in perennial plantation to very diversified agroforests that mimic the original forest-like structure. In the humid tropical lowlands, such systems often consist of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) grown under the shade of trees. In this review, we explore the reliability of research on and the feasibility of achieving the environmental and economic benefits of cocoa agroforests, highlighting future opportunities and challenges of cocoa growing. Unsustainable intensification in a form of monocultures with high agricultural inputs reduces ecological resilience of a land-use system, whereas paradoxically, environmental and climate changes require more than ever a higher capacity of land-use systems to cope with increasing global environmental pressure. Over the past decade, a number of new studies focusing on cocoa agroforests have been published. We review current cultivation of cocoa in the world and outline the establishment and management of cocoa agroforests. Further on, we explored the idea that cocoa agroforests could be a solution to prevent phenomenon of boom-and-bust cycle of cocoa cultivation and highlighted the possibilities for improvement of cocoa cultivation using its vast genetic base. Then the benefits of cocoa agroforests for (agro)biodiversity and soil conservation are summarized and economic perspectives of multistrata systems assessed. In final discussion, we performed a SWOT analysis, highlighting future opportunities and challenges and proposing recommendation to improve the extension, adoption and sustainability of cocoa agroforests.

Microfinance As A Tool For Poverty Reduction: A Study Of Jordan

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of microfinance on the poor, particularly in the specific areas of economic and social development of people and their employment. The research was carried out in Jordan, a country with a well-developed microfinance sector. The results have shown that microfinance has led to an improvement in the financial and social situation of the poor, especially for female clients of microfinance institutions. Interestingly, the higher income of clients has not caused higher expenditure on their basic needs, but rather people have generated saving for their future and used the additional money for education. According to the results of the microfinance impact assessment, it can be assumed that people, particularly females, prefer to improve the social situation for future generations. Based on this finding, we consider microfinance an effective tool for breaking the vicious circles of poverty, especially in Jordan. Furthermore, microcredits have facilitated in increasing employment for the poor, mainly through self-employment. It is believed that there exists a direct connection to the future expansion of microcredits that will lead to the development of small businesses with a promising impact on employability throughout the population structure.