Turkey berry
Solanum torvum
Crop Overview
Turkey berry is a short-lived perennial shrub native to Central and northern South America, the Caribbean and eastern Brazil. It has been introduced to West and Central Africa, South and Southeast Asia, China and Australia. It is commonly used as rootstock for eggplant (Solanum melongena) and tomatoes to confer resistance to root pests and diseases and environmental stresses. It is cultivated in India, Thailand, the Philippines and in Central America, the Caribbean and Africa as a food crop and in China, in particular, as a rootstock.
Common names include devil's fig, pea eggplant, prickly solanum and wild tomato in English, aubergine pois and aubergine du diable in French and berenjena cimarrona and berenjena silvestre in Spanish.
Characteristics, Cultivation and Agricultural Practices
Turkey berry thrives in warm, humid tropical climates at elevations up to 2,000 meters above sea level. In its native habitat, Turkey berry grows in thickets and woodlands, often along water courses. It is also common in disturbed environments, such as roadsides and abandoned farmland. Turkey berry is relatively resilient to root-knot nematodes and bacterial and fungal diseases, including Verticillium wilt.
Turkey berry is commonly harvested from the wild rather than cultivated. Where it is cultivated, it is often a minor component of home gardens. Little information is available on yields.
Nutritional, Economic and Medicinal Value
Turkey berry is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium and dietary fiber. It also contains significant amounts of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, essential oils, glycosides and steroids.
Turkey berry is used in various culinary preparations, such as stews, soups and salads. Its slight bitterness adds depth to dishes, and it is commonly incorporated into traditional recipes. In Jamaica, where it is known as susumba, it is often used in a dish made with salted fish and the fruit ackee (Blighia sapida). The young green fruits are used as an ingredient in Thai curries and chili pastes. The fruits are eaten as a vegetable in India.
Turkey berry is used to improve digestion in siddha medicine, one of the traditional medicine systems in India. It is also used in other traditional medicine systems for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and wound healing properties.
Cultural Importance
Little information is available on the cultural importance of Turkey berry other than its use in local dishes.
Gender Perspectives
Little information is available on gender aspects of cultivation and use of Turkey berry.
Why is the Crop Underutilized?
Turkey berry is a wild species that is considered an invasive weed in many places. Where it is used as a food crop, it is commonly harvested from the wild rather than cultivated. A major constraint to its increased use is the lack of reliable sources of quality seed and knowledge of production practices. There is also limited awareness of its nutritional qualities. Most research on the plant seems to be related to its use as a rootstock for eggplant and tomato, rather than the plant’s use as a food.
Diversity Available in Genesys
Genesys, the online platform information about plant genetic resources for food and agriculture conserved in genebanks worldwide, lists 141 samples of Turkey berry. The majority of these are held at:
- The World Vegetable Center – 107 samples
- The Millennium Seed Bank at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK – 19 samples
Current Breeding Efforts
At this time, there do not appear to be any current breeding efforts forTurkey berry, but research is ongoing.