Abstract:
Background: Peasant agroecosystems in Kenya are
considered to be a continuum of integrated
traditional farming systems and natural ecosystem
conservancy programs. Hyphaene compressa
(doum palm) exists in arid and semi-arid lands
(ASAL) of Kenya. While research in these areas is
focusing on new plants to be brought to the areas,
there is no focus on doum palm, which is already
adapted to these areas. Scanty ethnobotanical
knowledge exists in the form of unpublished material.
The study aimed to determine domestication status,
management practices, important use categories,
plant part value, biotic and abiotic stresses of H.
compressa.
Methods: Four sampling sites in the ASAL of Kenya
were selected. Tharaka Nithi, Kwale, Tana River and
Turkana. Responses of 79 informants were analyzed
to establish doum palm domestication profile, uses,
biotic and abiotic stresses affecting its growth.
Results: The domestication status varied across the
sampled areas, with most regions showing no
willingness to domesticate the plant. The study
revealed that doum palm has fourteen uses with food
(fruit) use, and prevention of soil erosion (roots)
recording the highest and the least fidelity level
scores, respectively, in the sampled areas. The most
observed biotic stress was human interference and
pest infestation, while the observed abiotic stress
was drought and salinity.
Conclusion:The most important doum palm use is
food. Due to the high usage and poor domestication,
doum palm could be losing its gene pool and hence
genetic diversity studies are important for its
conservation.
