African Nightshades and African Eggplants: Taxonomy, Crop Management, Utilization, and Phytonutrients

The Solanaceae plant family contains many food crops important to agriculture, food security, human nutrition and health. These include globally-consumed peppers ( Capsicum sp), potato ( Solanum tuberosum ), tomato ( S. lycopersicum ), eggplant ( S. melongena ) and regionally consumed, such as, African nightshades ( Solanum section Solanum, S. scabrum and S. villosum ) and African eggplants ( S . aethiopicum, S. macropcarpon and S. anguivi ). The taxonomy of Solanum is complex, and the “deadly nightshade” reputation of S. nigrum and other Solanum weeds or medicinal plants has extended to the edible African nightshades and African eggplants; this has confused people unfamiliar with these plants. The attention of scientists and policymakers has been focused on potato, tomato and peppers. Information on other regionally important Solanum crops is lacking. This paper reviews the taxonomy, crop management and the uses of African Solanum food crops as well as their nutritional values and glycoalkaloid contents.