AGROBIODIVERSITY AND KNOWLEDGE OF NON-CONVENTIONAL FOOD PLANTS (PANC) IN THE QUILOMBOLA COMMUNITY OF RAMAL DO BACURI, ABAETETUBA, PARÁ, BRAZIL: AN ETHNOBOTANICAL APPROACH

Abstract

Non-Conventional Edible Plants (NCEPs) are plant species that have one or more edible parts, whether spontaneous or cultivated, native or exotic, that are not included in the daily diet, but that have great nutritional importance for the food security of populations. Thus, this study aimed to understand the local knowledge associated with the cultivation and management of NCEPs in the Quilombola community of Ramal do Bacuri, located in Abaetetuba, Pará, Brazil. The research was conducted using techniques such as “snowball”, “guided tour” and “participant observation” with semi-structured interviews. Six farmers who cultivate and manage 14 species of PANC distributed in 14 different families were selected. Among the cultivated plants, those naturalized in Brazil stood out, with a contribution of seven plant species. Regarding habits, most of the plants were herbs due to the ease of cultivation and management of these plant life forms. Farmers manage and cultivate PANC in backyards or fields by cuttings, direct and indirect seeding, irrigation, pruning and organic fertilization. The results demonstrated the relevance of traditional knowledge of quilombola communities for the maintenance and conservation of these food species.