African nightshade
African nightshades are several species of plants in the section Solanum of the genus Solanum that are commonly consumed as leafy vegetables and herbs. African nightshades are grown in both high and lowland areas in West and East Africa, particularly in Nigeria and Cameroon.The Nso people call it Nyuuseji, and the Kom people call it Mbasi. There is a large variation in diversity of the African nightshades, which have many nutritional and medicinal benefits, even though the family of nightshade is commonly known as comprising dangerous weeds or poisonous plants. Species known as African nightshade include Solanum scabrum, Solanum villosum, Solanum nigrum, and Solanum americanum. Other common names for African nightshade are Black nightshade and Narrow-leaved nightshade. Local names of African nightshade include managu, mnavu, rinagu, tsisutsa, osuga, isoiyot, kitulu, ormomoi, ndunda, nsugga, sochot, and esisogho.
Description
African nightshade is an erect dicot with many branches, growing high. The plant has thin, oval leaves which are about in length and purplish in colour. The plant has numerous flowers that are black or purple and round berries, which are about in diameter, having small, flat, yellowish seeds. The berries of this plant can be black or orange, depending on the species. There are many diversities in African nightshades related to growth patterns, leaf sizes, tastes flowering time, colour, as well as nutritional and nutraceutical value, along with quantities and composition of anti-nutrient factors.History, geography, ethnography
The origin of the majority of Solanum species is within South America. The most popular African representatives of Solanum can also be found in areas of Europe and Asia, but the most valued nightshade species vegetable, said to be S. scabrum, is native to Australia. African nightshade is largely domesticated in Nigeria, but also popular in Kenya. African nightshade has historically been known as "food for the poor" by the middle class of areas like Kenya. Traditionally, African nightshade was collected from the wild and given as a souvenir by family and friends, who were traveling from rural areas to town dwellers. Due to promotion by NGOs and research and other interest groups, this trend has changed based on awareness of nutritional and medicinal benefits. African nightshade has become a domesticated and commercialized production from commercial and substance farming.Growing conditions
African nightshade is propagated from seeds. It performs well in a varying degree of climatic conditions, but grows best within cool, high-moisture environments in both medium and high altitudes. Shady conditions cause a reduction in total plant weight, as well as leaf yield. Though African nightshade can tolerate shade, growth is better when the plant is exposed to full sunlight. For adequate growth of African nightshades, and annual rainfall of approximately is necessary. African nightshades grow in a variety of soils but require large amounts of nutrients and are best adjusted to soils with high nitrogen, phosphorus and are rich in organic matter. Nitrogen fertilizer increases leaf yields 1.5–2.5 fold. Sandy loam to friable clay soils with a pH of 6.0–6.5 are appropriate.Though African nightshades are not drought tolerant, procedures can be done to help retain moisture such as mulching with tall grass. Selected breeding can be useful as a method for diversity development, with excellent potential, so long as the variety is preserved and utilized. African nightshade is ready for harvest four weeks past transplanting. Picking is done in weekly intervals and the African nightshade can be sun-dried on banana leaves post-harvest as a means of preservation.
Comparing African nightshade to other high-value and high-yielding horticultural crops, it produces low leaf yields and is considered uneconomical, however it is in high demand in some areas for its health, nutritional, and medicinal benefits.