1Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara PO, Thrissur-680656, Kerala, India
2Bioversity International Nepal Office, 93.4 Dharahara Marg, Fulbari-11, Pokhara, Nepal
*Author for Correspondence: E-mail: renishajm@gmail.com
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a keystone species in homestead gardens across Kerala, India. This study was conducted in two village sites in Kerala to assess their richness and evenness values of mango diversity, document farmers’ motivations for maintaining this diversity, and record pertinent indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK). Four Cell Analysis (FCA) in the context of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was used to generate biodiversity data and gauge farmer rationale for cultivation. The average household (HH) richness in the Erippadam village was r=6.29 and the average HH evenness was λ=0.64, whereas the average HH richness in the Maruthampadam village was r=2.84 and the average HH evenness was λ=0.40. These variations were attributed to the presence of different forms of agricultural commercialization in the two village sites. Drawing on FGD results, several suggestions were offered that may serve to enhance and maintain mango biodiversity in the Kerala region.
Agricultural biodiversity, In situ (on-farm) conservation, Mango biodiversity, Home gardens, Kerala
