Description

Agricultural production among the Native American populations of the Southwest declined significantly during the twentieth century. Although production of corn, beans, and squash, the three most recognized traditional food crops, remains widespread, knowledge regarding the traditional management of these crops was lost. The loss of traditional knowledge is more pronounced for some of the under-recognized traditional food crops including Southwest peach (Prunus persica) and Navajo spinach (Cleome serrulata Pursh). Decreased peach production during the late twentieth century left only a few sparse historic peach orchards. There is little to no documentation on importance, cultivation or use of Navajo spinach to the Southwest Native American Tribes. The Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni Nations seek to increase the availability of traditional crops for their original uses, such as for food and wool dye. In order for these Native American communities to revitalize traditional agriculture, information was gathered regarding each of these crops, including: varieties and their characteristics, management practices and the horticultural basis for these practices, along with uses and cultural significance. Southwest peach orchards were located, seeds and plant material obtained and characterized genetically to test the hypothesis that Southwest peaches are divergent from modern cultivars. Information on peach management was collected by interviewing traditional farmers, evaluating historic orchard location features, and through dendrochronology. Dendrochronology involved collecting tree stumps or cores from tree trunks to evaluate growth rings in order to determine seasonal irrigation practices, age, and life span of the orchard trees. Navajo spinach seed was collected from multiple locations and compared. Optimum germination conditions were assessed including requirements for overcoming seed dormancy through scarification, plant hormone addition, and chilling and hydration period. Oral histories were gathered from elders of the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni Nations on management and use of Navajo spinach; the interviews were translated and transcribed. Information on both Southwest peach and Navajo spinach will be useful to encourage traditional management of these culturally important crops.