Production and diversity of indigenous leaf vegetable (fluted pumpkin)

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) a member of the family Curcubitaceae is a leafy vegetable, widely consumed in many local dishes as fresh succulent leaves across countries. It is recalcitrant in nature, well known and widely distributed in Nigeria, Cameroun, Benin and other forested regions in West and Central Africa. The seed (27% protein, 53% fat) and leaf (rich in minerals Mg and Fe) are high source of income (85% profit ($85 cost of production/ha yields $1,686). Information on genetic variation in germplasm collections and production methods respectively will assist breeders in planning crop improvement programmes and equip extension workers to disseminate information on profitable production method. Since telfairia contributes significantly to human diets (especially micronutrients) and its production offers tangible income generation opportunity to resource-poor farmers, particularly women who are the main producers and marketers of the crop, the economic viability underscores its poverty alleviation potentials.