Each person has a science of planting: plants cultivated by quilombola communities of Bocaina, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Abstract

(Each person has a science of planting: plants cultivated by quilombola communities of Bocaina, Mato Grosso State, Brazil). The objective of this study was to record the most important vegetal resources in the life of the quilombolas of Bocaina, emphasizing the practices of agrobiodiversity management. We used semi-strutured and informal interviews, free list, and participant observation. For records, we used a field diary, photos, and recordings. For analysis, we performed calculations of absolute and relative frequencies, linear regression analysis to verify relations between age and species richness, Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA), and diversity profile. We recorded a total of 180 species, of which, the most cited plants were food crops cultivated in backyards and clearings. Ninety-seven medicinal species used for various diseases were recorded. The most common form of use is leaf tea. We verified that the plants management is of agroecological character favoring biodiversity maintenance. We concluded that the Community, by means of its traditional knowledge, performs agroecological management of the plants, promoting food security for its family and conservation of genetic resources.