Browsing by Author "Shayo, Philipina"

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Distribution, characterization and propagation methods for conservation and utilization of oyster nuts telfairia pedata in Tanzania
(NM-AIST, 2023-04) Shayo, Philipina
Oyster nut (Telfairia pedata) is a native East African climber, growing naturally or planted in association with tall trees Tanzania (including Zanzibar island), Kenya and Uganda. Plot less sampling method within different land use (farmlands, homesteads, and along riverbanks) was used to understand the spatial distribution of oyster nuts across elevation and rainfall gradients and a cross-sectional survey using semi-structured questionnaire was conducted on 346 respondents to assess the utilization and conservation status of oyster nuts in northern Tanzania. In addition, phylogenetic analysis were used to assess the genetic variability of oyster nuts collected from the study location and lastly developing local propagation methods for the production of oyster nut seedlings for farmers in northern Tanzania. The findings on the spatial distribution of oyster nuts indicated that more oyster nut plants grow in higher elevations and areas with higher rainfall. The findings on utilization and conservation status of the oyster nuts reveal that about 21% of respondents used oyster nuts for cooking with other staple foods while (18%) claimed that the nuts are used by pregnant and lactating mothers for medicinal and breast milk stimulation and nine percent indicated that the nuts are used for ritual and cultural devotions. Also, respondents within the 36-50 age groups reported the greatest diversity of uses of oyster nuts were (51%) compared with those aged below 36 years old (21%). The findings on genetic analysis suggest that the oyster nut (Telfairia pedata) is the only specie that exists in Tanzania with similarity of >99% to known accessions as deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Although the accessions were obtained from different districts in Northern Tanzania, their close genetic similarity indicates that they might have originated from the same parents and were introduced to other sites through cultivation by human interventions. The findings on propagation methods for the production of oyster nut seedlings indicate that mother plant topsoil and Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium fertilizer levels and mother plant topsoil and cow manure are the best media for the propagation of oyster nuts using stem cuttings. The study concludes that oyster nuts offers multiple benefits to farmers and is the only species that exist in Tanzania. The study recommends: (i) Promote the multipurpose and only oyster nut plant that exist in Tanzania through workshops and seminars to contribute to food security and biodiversity conservation; (ii) mother plant topsoil and NPK or cow manure are the most suitable soil mixture for raising oyster nuts from stem cuttings; and (iii) Research institutions can take an interest in both in-situ and ex-situ long-term monitoring trends of oyster nuts (Telfairia pedata) distribution as it is the only specie that exists in the country.
Ethnobotany of Oyster nut ( Telfairia pedata) in Northern Tanzania
(Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 2022-01-12) Shayo, Philipina; Treydte, Anna; Mbega, Ernest
Telfairia pedata (Sims) Hook is an important native climber plant commonly grown in East Africa. It bears nuts which are eaten either raw or cooked and is consumed mostly by expectant mothers, and as cooking oil. The survey was conducted between September 2019 to February 2020 in Sambaa, Meru, and Pare communities of Lushoto, Bumbuli, Arumeru and Same Districts, Northern Tanzania to assess the ethnobotany of T. pedata from a sample of 346 respondents using semi-structured questionnaires. Results indicate that, 21% of respondents used T. pedata for cooking with other staple foods while 18% claimed that the nuts are used by pregnant and lactating mothers for medicinal and breast milk stimulation and nine (9) percent indicated that the nuts are used for cultural and ritual purposes. Despite its importance, the cultivation of T. pedata in the study area is declining and the gap why such decline is experienced needs to be answered in further studies. Secondly, respondents within the 36-50 age groups reported the greatest diversity of uses of T. pedata 51% compared with those aged below 36 years old 21% signifying that the traditional knowledge known by younger aged groups may be declining. Thus, this gap of traditional knowledge between the groups should be addressed in order to improve utilization and conservation of this seriously declining yet important nut in the study area and other places of Tanzania.
Growth performance of the neglected crop Telfairia pedata across elevation and climate gradients in Northern Tanzania
(Elsevier B.V., 2022-02-07) Shayo, Philipina; Mbega, Ernest; Treydte, Anna
Herbaceous vines, including the neglected crop Telfairia pedata, play a key role in small-holder livelihoods of Eastern Africa. Despite this species’ importance in enhancing agro-biodiversity, little is known about its distri- bution and growth performance in relation to environmental variables. We collected biophysical and environ- mental data, i.e., on climate and elevation, for 346 T. pedata vines across four districts of Northern Tanzania from September, 2019, to February, 2020. The four sites included Same, Lushoto, Muheza and Arumeru districts. We found that plants of T. pedata were mainly grown in elevations ranging between 900 to 1800 m above sea level with annual rainfall regimes of 1000 to 1400 mm. We recorded large abundance of T. pedata in Lushoto (46%) and Arumeru (28%) and observed that the number of fruits and fruit diameter were both positively correlated with elevation across the study districts. There was a significant effect of elevation on number of seeds, with Same district having more seeds across the studied districts. Rainfall had a significant effect on fruit diameter and number of seeds in the study districts. Furthermore, the tree species Albizia schimperiana was most commonly (in 40% of the cases) associated with T. pedata, followed by Persea americana (14%), and Croton macrostachyus (9%). We highlight that mountainous regions are ideal for this highly nutritious crop, and that native trees are of high importance for enriching this vine to current agro-ecosystems. Our findings will increase awareness on the importance of raising T. pedata crop, livelihood diversification, and increasing biodiversity through production of this orphan crop in small-holder farms. 1. Introduction Telfairia pedata (Smiths ex Sim) Hook or oyster nut belongs to Cur- cubitaceae family, which includes over 700 species and approximately 90 genera (Okoli and Mgbeogu, 1983; Odiaka et al., 2008; Chiamaka et al., 2020). It is a herbaceous woody vine and dioecious that bears squash-like fruits with large and nutritious oily seeds, is perennial and can withstand drought to some extent (Onovo et al., 2010; Ifeanyi-Obi et al., 2013), (Fig. 1). Telfairia pedata is mostly grown for its oilseeds in Tanzania including Zanzibar Island, and other African countries including Angola, Mozambique, coast of Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria (Schippers, 2000; Odiaka et al., 2008; Odiaka and Odiaka, 2011; Are- gheore, 2012). The nuts are highly valued by East Africa natives and are in great demand by breastfeeding mothers (Fubara-Manuel et al., 2012; Nwonuala and Obiefuna, 2015). These oilseeds are related to pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita moschata) which are also highly important for their therapeutic and functional (nutraceutical) values (Dotto & Chacha, 2020). Telfairia pedata nuts are mostly eaten raw or boiled, roasted for confectionery or grounded into a thick paste for use in staple meals such as soup thickening (Odiaka et al., 2008; Alegbejo, 2012). It contain protein, fat, carbohydrates, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, pal- mitic acid, minerals including phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), po- tassium (K), iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) (Aregheore, 2007; Mwakasege et al., 2021). In some cases, Telfairia species provide substantial cash income to small rural farm families and for biodiversity conservation (Akoroda, 1990; Alegbejo, 2012; Chukwurah et al., 2015). However, despite its household income generation, nutritional and environmental value, the cultivation of this crop in Tanzania has been neglected, and little is known about its distribution, growth performance and constraints. The climber grows well in presence of hard wood trees or wooden made structures, and it is regarded as an important component of the rich * Corresponding author. E-mail address: shayop@nm-aist.ac.tz (P.F. Shayo). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Trees, Forests and People journal homepage: www.sciencedirect.com/journal/trees-forests-and-people https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2022.100216 Received 30 August 2021; Received in revised form 25 January 2022; Accepted 3 February 2022
The Potential of Oyster Nuts (Telfairia pedata) for Environmental Conservation and Food Security in Tanzania: A Review
(Springer Nature, 2021-07-29) Shayo, Philipina; Mbega, Ernest; Treydte, Anna
The oyster nut, Telfairia pedata, a vine that grows on tall trees, is native only to Tanzania and Uganda. Its nuts are valued by the local population mainly because of their lactogenic properties. Despite its nutritional, economic, and environmental benefits and its low management demands, little is known about why this species has almost disappeared from local markets and farmlands. We selected 187 publications that described the current nutritional, environmental, and commercialization potential of Telfairia species as well as their socioeconomic importance, domestication, and utilization in East Africa. Most studies (60%) mentioned the nutritional and health benefits of Telfairia species, while 40% described their socioeconomic and environmental potentials. Almost half of the studies (47%) cited lack of alternative propagation methods to seeds, including cuttings, tissue culture, and grafting, as a constraint for oyster nut development. We conclude that studies on oyster nut production are rare despite its potential to contribute to food security, environmental conservation, and commercialization. The future of oyster nut production depends on the efforts by agriculturalists, conservationists, and nutritionists to conduct collaborative research and outreach programmes on this underutilized crop to diversify livelihoods of Tanzania’s smallholder farmers.
Underutilised Oyster Nut (Telfairia pedata): Farmers’ Knowledge, Practices and Utilisation in Northern Tanzania
(MUST Journal of Research and Development, 2025-03-31) Shayo, Philipina; Treydte, Anna; Mbega, Ernest
Oyster nut [Telfairia pedata (Smiths ex Sim)] Hook is a regularly cultivated crop in East African countries such as Tanzania (including Zanzibar Island), Uganda, Angola, Mozambique, and along Kenya’s coast, which is regarded to be underutilised. Despite its relevance to small-scale farmers in terms of conservation, income creation and food security, little is known about the farmer’s knowledge, practices and utilisation in Northern Tanzania. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating aspects of its production, including farmers’ practices, utilisation and preferences. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured questionnaires in the regions of Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Tanga. Descriptive analysis was done whereby frequencies, means and percentages were calculated using SPSS from the farmers’ responses. The results on oyster nut preferences, knowledge, cultivation and utilisation were presented in the form of tables and graphs. The findings revealed that 87% of respondents who were knowledgeable about oyster nuts were female, 89% of interviewed farmers grew the nuts on inherited family lands, 24% of respondents stored oyster nuts in perforated plastic bags, and 90% of the farmers used recycled seeds as their primary method of propagation without the use of any agricultural inputs. Conclusively, the study gives significant baseline data for future research on oyster nuts and development projects in Tanzania to enhance its conservation and sustainable usage while ensuring nutritional security for the majority of resource-poor people.