This paper describes the systematic study of root and tuber crops consumed by “Dongria Kandha” tribes of two blocks of “Kandhamal” district of Odisha. Periodic surveys were conducted in 25 villages of these two blocks regarding the methods of uses of different wild and cultivated edible tuber crops. Total seven types of edible tuber crops were consumed by this tribe. As no specific reports are available on the tuber crops consumed as food and medicine by this tribe, therefore documentation of tuber crops relating to the methods of uses, along with the morphological parameters were recorded. During survey 10 species of Dioscorea genus were found to be consumed as food as well as medicine to cure various ailments. Among them two species were found to be bitter in taste and unpalatable when consumed raw. Various methods were applied by the tribes to make the tubers palatable. The methods of consumption of ten species of Dioscorea along with the medicinal uses to treat various diseases were described in this article. Therefore these crops are valued for food security and also play a vital role towards diminishing rural poverty as well as have significant contribution towards curing of various diseases.

中文翻译：

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印度奥里萨邦坎达玛尔地区的“ Dongria Kandha”部落的几种食用块茎作物的药用

本文介绍了奥里萨邦“坎丹哈尔”区两个街区的“ Dongria Kandha”部落食用的块根和块茎作物的系统研究。在这两个街区的25个村庄进行了定期调查，调查了不同的野生和栽培食用块茎作物的使用方法。这个部落共消费了七种食用块茎作物。由于尚无关于该部落作为食品和药品消费的块茎作物的具体报告，因此，记录了与使用方法有关的块茎作物的文献以及形态参数。在调查中，薯os有10种人们发现该属被当作食物和药物来治疗各种疾病。其中发现有两个物种的味道苦，生吃时难吃。部落采用了各种方法使块茎变得可口。本文介绍了食用薯os的十种方法以及用于治疗各种疾病的药物。因此，这些作物在保障粮食安全方面很有价值，并且在减少农村贫困方面也起着至关重要的作用，并且在治愈各种疾病方面也起着重要作用。