Ethnobotanical study of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) landraces in Benin

Abstract Background Pumpkin, Cucurbita moschata Duchesne, is important food resource due to their nutritional composition. Despite advantages, they still remain underutilized crops in Africa and particularly Benin. No documented information available on the knowledge of producers use, conservation commercialization . The objectives this study are (i) collect various accessions pumpkin basis local taxonomic criteria Benin; (ii) uses To end, an investigation was carried out departments Couffo (Dogbo, Djakotomey, Klouékanme Aplahoué) Borgou (Parakou N’dali). Methods One hundred twenty (120) farmers grouped into 06 different ethnic groups ( Adja , Bariba Bialy Fon Gourmantché Zarma ) were interviewed. Six landraces identified 19 villages surveyed through systematic census supported by snowball technique. Results Varietal diversity a municipal level varied from two four. Pumpkin mainly cultivated men about 15% cultural association with maize, cassava, cowpea groundnut. harvested fruits used for consumption, commercial, therapeutic occult purposes. However, 48% have abandoned its production marketing constraints. This abandonment could induce risk genetic erosion species. Thus, enhancement resources species essential. Conclusions made it possible establish farmers’ utilization landraces, identify varietal Benin pumpkin.