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Agrobiodiversity in the Homegardens of Chirakkarai Village, Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, India


Affiliations
1 Centre for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Department of Botany, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam, Tamilnadu– 629 165, India
2 Department of Botany, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil – 629 003, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India
     

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A floristic survey was conducted to assess the agrobiodiversity in the homegardens of Chirakkarai village, Kanyakumari district. Two hundred and thirty eight plant species belonging to 194 genera and 81 families were collected from 5 homegardens. Among these, 49 species (20.59%) were trees, 58 (24.37%) shrubs, 102 (42.86%) herbs and 29 (12.18%) were climbers including lianas. Of the economically important species, medicinal plant ranked first with 98 species (41.18%) followed by 74 species of fodder value and 37 species (15.55%) were of ornamental importance. The results inferred that homegardens are rich in agrobiodiversity and are interesting for ethnobotanical research, and need to be considered for in situ conservation and development programmes.

Keywords

Agrobiodiversity, Cultivated Plants, Chirakkarai Village, Kanyakumari District
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About The Authors

Z. Miller Paul
Centre for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Department of Botany, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam, Tamilnadu– 629 165
India

S. Jeeva
Department of Botany, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil – 629 003, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
India


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  • Agrobiodiversity in the Homegardens of Chirakkarai Village, Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, India

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Authors

Z. Miller Paul
Centre for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Department of Botany, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam, Tamilnadu– 629 165, India
S. Jeeva
Department of Botany, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil – 629 003, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract


A floristic survey was conducted to assess the agrobiodiversity in the homegardens of Chirakkarai village, Kanyakumari district. Two hundred and thirty eight plant species belonging to 194 genera and 81 families were collected from 5 homegardens. Among these, 49 species (20.59%) were trees, 58 (24.37%) shrubs, 102 (42.86%) herbs and 29 (12.18%) were climbers including lianas. Of the economically important species, medicinal plant ranked first with 98 species (41.18%) followed by 74 species of fodder value and 37 species (15.55%) were of ornamental importance. The results inferred that homegardens are rich in agrobiodiversity and are interesting for ethnobotanical research, and need to be considered for in situ conservation and development programmes.

Keywords


Agrobiodiversity, Cultivated Plants, Chirakkarai Village, Kanyakumari District

References