Species richness of edible plants grown in homegardens of the foothills of Western Ghats

V. Sathia Geetha1, M. Reginald Appavoo2, A. Ayun Vinuba2 and S. Jeeva2*

1Department of Botany and Microbiology, AVVM Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India – 613 503.
2Department of Botany, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil, Tamilnadu, India – 629 003.
solomonjeeva@gmail.com.

Article Info		Abstract
Received: 09-09-2015, Revised: 27-09-2015, Accepted: 29-09-2015		Species richness of woody species was investigated in Kozhikottupottai, Amaravathivilai, Ringle Taube Puram and Pottaiady village homegardens of the foot hills of Marunthuvalmalai in Western Ghats of Kanyakumari district, Tamilnadu, India. These homegardens represent the multi-tiered agroforestry system. A total of 348 plant species belonging to 256 genera and 82 families were recorded. Among the plants grown in the homegardens, ca. 17.21% were used for food mainly in the form of edible fruits and vegetables. Of the edible plant species fruit yielding plants was the highest in terms of species richness in the homegardens when compared to other edible species.
Keywords: Agroforestry systems, Edible plants, Homegardens, Western Ghats.

 

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How to Cite this Article:
V. Sathia Geetha, M. Reginald Appavoo, A. Ayun Vinuba and S. Jeeva, 2015. Species richness of edible plants grown in homegardens of the foothills of Western Ghats. Science Research Reporter, 5(2): 187-191.

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