ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF HOMEGARDEN PLANT DIVERSITY, MAJOR USE CATEGORIES AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN HAWASSA ZURIA DISTRICT, SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA.

ABSTRACT This study was made to assess ethnobotanical study of homegarden plant diversity, major use categories and management practices in Hawassa Zuria district, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. The research was intended to highlight homegarden types, plant species frequency and their functional groups, indigenous knowledge and climate change indicators. The research was conducted during September 2020 to March 2022. Data were collected from informants who were selected based on recommendations from community elders and local development agents. For floristic data collection and detail study 32 homegardens were randomly selected. Ethnobotanical data were collected using homegarden observation, semi-structured interviews, and market survey. Data were analyzed using preference, direct matrix, pairwise rankings and descriptive statistics. Local names and habits of each plant in the sampled homegardens were recorded, numbered, and identified using taxonomic keys given in the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. A total of 112 plant species belonging to 51 families were identified which were classified into 15 functional groups. Out of these, 55 species (49.1%) were herbs, 24 species (21.4%) were trees, 27 species (24.1%) were shrubs and 6 species (5.4%) were climbers. Further analysis of the results showed that in plant use category 60 species (53.6%) were plants with multiple use followed by 34 (30.4%) plants with medicinal purposes. Of the recorded plant species 30 (26.8%) were food crops and 82 (73.2%) were non food crops. Family Fabaceae has the highest number of species (13 species), whereas Ensete ventricosum was the most frequent plant of homegardens of the area. From the total medicinal plants; 5 species (15%) were nutraceutical plants. Direct matrix analysis showed that Eucalyptus globulus was the most important multipurpose species followed by Juniperus procera. The study showed that homegardens are providing substantial benefits to the households. However, lack of agricultural support, plant diseases, small garden size and few market oriented crops affect the diversity of species. The people of the study area should be encouraged to cultivate multipurpose plants and their indigenous knowledge must be recorded for sustainable management.