Traditional Wisdom on Cultivated Edible Plants: Ethnobotany of the Kui Ethnic Group in Sangkha District, Surin Province, Northeastern Thailand
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Abstract
This study explores the ethnobotanical knowledge of cultivated edible plants among the Kui community in Sangkha District, Surin Province, Northeastern Thailand, emphasising their cultural, nutritional, and medicinal roles. A total of 77 species from 44 families were documented, with Fabaceae and Zingiberaceae being the most represented. Introduced species (62.34%) were more common than native species (37.66%), reflecting historical crop dissemination and cultural adoption, while native species continue to play important roles in cultural identity and ecosystem resilience. Herbs and trees were the predominant growth forms, supporting both immediate and long-term subsistence needs. Analyses of use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), and informant consensus factor (Fic) highlighted key species central to local livelihoods and healthcare, including Citrus hystrix DC., Morinda citrifolia L., Oryza sativa L., and Piper sarmentosum Roxb., demonstrating multifunctionality in both culinary and medicinal contexts. Leaves, rhizomes, and inflorescences were the most commonly used plant parts, suggesting deliberate selection for nutritional and pharmacological benefits. These cultivated edible plants not only sustain traditional food practices but also support livelihoods, income generation, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. The findings provide a basis for future phytochemical, nutritional, socio-cultural, and agroecological studies aimed at enhancing biodiversity conservation, food security, and sustainable use of ethnobotanical resources.
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