Sustainable food production through climate resilient crop: A case study of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) Srivastava Rajani* Environmental Science (Environmental Technology), Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India *Email id: rajani.srivastava25@gmail.com, srivastava_252003@yahoo.com
Abstract The consequences of anticipated climate change on agriculture, water resources, natural ecosystems, and food security are seen all around the world, especially in India. To deal with these, knowledge of indigenous and locally adapted climate-resilient species are a good option. The present field study was carried out to explore the potential of Ipomoea aquatica (widely known as kangkong or water spinach), a semi-aquatic, underutilized tropical plant species as climate resilient species. The present research is aimed to study the ecology and global distribution of water spinach, and also to signify the importance of its cultivation for supplementing the food and nutritional requirements of the rapidly growing human population in resource-poor developing countries in the age of climate change. As a case study, field surveys have been conducted in selected seven villages of Rajatalab (Jansa, Dilavalpur, Bhishampur, Mehadiganj, Gora, Bhikhampur and Kasipur) near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in India to analyze the habitat, distribution and ecology of Ipomoea species. It is highly nutritious and has wide use in traditional medicines and nutrient-rich food that benefits our brain, body and skin also. It has nutritional, medicinal, ecological, phytoremediation and aesthetic benefits. It contains all essential minerals, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium, as well as important vitamins like A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, K and “U” (S-methylmethionine), and contain all essential amino acids. The habitat analysis and field survey indicate that Ipomea aquatica species can be well adapted to diverse soil conditions ranging from wetland conditions to dryland conditions. Owing to its high nutritional and medicinal significance, Ipomea species can be commercially cultivated throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions to fulfilling the nutritional requirements of the growing human population. Since the plant is wild and does not require many agronomic skills, it can be more easily cultivated than any other leafy vegetable and will be a good substitute for resource-poor farmers in developing regions. Moreover, the cultivation of such locally available species will create this species an option as climate resilient species and for conserving other neglected and lesser-utilized crops in various agro-climatic areas of the world. However, extensive research is further required for analysing the genetic level diversity of this and other similar species for mitigating climate change. Top Keywords Climate resilient species, Food security, Ipomoea aquatic, Nutritional rich, Underutilized. Top |