Domestication of Aframomum giganteum K. Schum and Aframomum melegueta K.Schum in Yangambi pedoclimatic conditions, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Authors

  • Marie Zola Tuluenga Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Petroleum, Gas and Renewable Energies, University of Kinshasa, DRC Author
  • Jeannette Muisangie Luboya Center for water and Environmental Author
  • Olivier Katalay HigherInstitute of pedagogy of Eolo/Mateko Author
  • Théophane Makolo Ntalakwa Systems, Biodiversity, Nature conservation and indigenous knowledge Laboratory, Environmental Science and Management, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, P.O. 190, Kinshasa XI(DRC) Author
  • Eustache Ntango Kidikwadi Systems, Biodiversity, Nature conservation and indigenous knowledge Laboratory, Environmental Science and Management, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, P.O. 190, Kinshasa XI(DRC) Author
  • Félicien Luyeye Lukoki Plant biodiversity, Ecology and Ethnobotany Laboratory, Department of Life sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Industries, University of Kinshasa, DRC Author
  • Bernick Wembolowa Tshene Laboratory of Physical Organic Chemistry, Water and Environment, Department of chemistry and industry, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, DRC Author
  • Anatole Kia Mayeko Kifuani Laboratory of Physical Organic Chemistry, Water and Environment, Department of chemistry and industry, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, DRC Author
  • Honoré Katula Belesi Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Petroleum, Gas and Renewable Energies, University of Kinshasa, DRC Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59228/rcst.026.v5.i2.327

Keywords:

Domestication, Aframomum, germination, Zingibéracées, semence

Abstract

This study focused on domestication of two species of Zingiberaceae, Aframomum giganteum K. Schum and Aframomum melegueta K.Schum in Yangambi pedoclimatic conditions, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The fruits of these two species are edible and widely consumed by local populations. The biological material used in this study consisted of the vegetative and generative seeds of these two species. The soil was amended with ow dung. Plant growth was evaluated and ethnobotanical study was conducted. Ethnobotanical results show that both species are used by local populations for food and the treatment of diseases. The results obtained show that the two species have similar germination rates, 40.25% and 42.67% for A. gigateum and A. melegueta, respectively. Significantly higher survival rates were observed in Aframomum gigantism (83.78%) compared to Aframomum melegueta (10.34%). The average monthly diameter growth is 20.32 cm for the two species and the stem diameters at the base range from 2.02 to 6.92 cm. The integration of Zingiberaceae into permaculture systems can improve yields of food crops, as suggested by the results of the study. The sucess of in situ and ex situ cultivation of these two species is a promising solution for the sustainable of biodiverty.

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Published

2026-08-12

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): Revue Congolaise des Sciences et Technologies

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