Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal and Pesticidal Plants used by Agropastoral Communities in Mbulu District, Tanzania

Qwarse, Michael and Mihale, Matobola J. and Sempombe, Joseph and Mugoyela, Veronica and Henry, Leonia and Sunghwa, Fortunatus (2018) Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal and Pesticidal Plants used by Agropastoral Communities in Mbulu District, Tanzania. Tanzania J. Sci & Technol., 1 (1). pp. 22-35.

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Abstract

Ethnobotanical study was carried out to establish an inventory of medicinal and pesticidal plant species currently used by agro-pastoralist communities in Mbulu district, Tanzania. The survey involved collecting information on available plant species, plant parts used, route of administration and method of preparation during use using semi-structured interviews and field observation. Sixty five plant species that belong to 41 families were identified. Dominant families in use are Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Euphobiaceae, accounting for 43.9% of all identified species. Results indicated that 55% of the plant species are used for medicinal purposes, 29% are used for pesticidal purposes and 16% are used for both medicinal and pesticidal purposes. Forty six percent (46%) of the plants were prepared and administered orally, while 21% were administered by spotting. Whereas 27% of the plants involved the use of leaves during preparation, 22% involve the use of roots. Preparing a juice and soaking in water were the major methods of preparing medicinal and pesticidal formulations. However, ascertaining the specific amount of dose for both medicinal and pesticidal formulations was difficult. There is a need to scientifically test the plant extracts that are active against pests and pathogens. The urgency of identifying and recording this knowledge before its disappearance from the community particularly when there is advancement of farmers’ age.

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