The centre of origin of Bambara groundnut (BGN; Vigna subterranea L.) is Western Sub-Saharan Africa. Due to its high nutritional value and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, this neglected and underutilised species has recently gained significant attention. However, BGN production faces several challenges, including a lack of quality varieties. This study describes a selected core collection based on phenotypic traits, investigates relevant selection criteria and identifies a set of landraces according to participants’ preferences. A core collection of landraces was generated, described, and then subjected to participatory varietal selection. Through individual semi-structured interviews, key selection criteria were identified. Focus group discussions were organised to explore group criteria and to support and validate information from personal interviews. The varietal selection involved choosing three landraces per participant. The results highlighted that seed colour, seed size, cultural value, market value, seed taste, storage, and seed cooking duration were the main selection criteria; however, specific trait preferences varied by gender and participants. Two of 14 selected BGN landraces were considered by the panel of evaluators to be most suitable for recommendation to growers and breeders. They can be disseminated in BGN production regions and used for plant breeding.

The present study was carried out on eighty (80) accessions from Burkina Faso. It has a double objective: to identify the different species of amaranths cultivated and to estimate their agronomic performances. To this end, twenty-four (24) descriptors were used to characterize the collection, according to a Fisher block design with three replications. The survey was conducted at the IDR experimental site in Gampèla. The study revealed a great phenotypic diversity characterized by the existence of qualitative discriminating characters of which the color of the stem and the leaves, the shape and the size of the leaves as well as the color of the inflorescence. These observations allowed us to identify seven morphotypes belonging to three species: Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Amaranthus dubius. The analysis of variance showed several discriminating quantitative characters including height, stem diameter, number of branches and number of days to flowering. The green-leaved Amaranthus cruentus species showed the highest yields of leaf biomass (283.57 g) with a long flowering cycle (72.5 days) and a high number of branching (45.6). Oval-leaved accessions with broad, long blades and early flowering were identified belonging to the species Amaranthus dubius. The light green morphotype of Amaranthus hypochondriacus species and accessions of Amaranthus dubius species yielded low foliar biomass.

Corchorus olitorius is more and more cultivated in Burkina Faso because of its socio - economic interest. Hence the objective of this study which will contribute to improve the knowledge of the genetic diversity of the species in Burkina Faso. To this end, seventeen SSR markers were used to characterize ninety-six (96) accessions of the four phytogeographic sectors of Burkina Faso. These accessions consist of 16 accessions of the variety C. olitorius var insicifolius and 80 accessions of the variety C. olitorius var olitorius. The results of the analysis of the diversity of microsatellite markers tested, they were seized sixteen (16) of the seventeen (17) SSRs are polymorphic with a rate of polymorphism of 92.19 % and number of 53 alleles with a mean of three (3) alleles per locus. As for the Shannon diversity index, with an average of 1.05, it is between 0.53 for the HK-27 marker and 1.90 for the HK-19 marker. The polymorphism information content (PIC) potential ranged from 0.11 for the HK-12 marker to 0.49 for the HK-6 marker with an average of 0.32. A structure of diversity into three groups regardless of phytogeographic areas or botanical variety has always been.

Jute mallow (C. olitorius) is a traditional leafy vegetable from Africa and Asia. The richness of its leaves in nutritional elements such a (iron, zinc, potassium and beta carotene) makes it an excellent nutritional supplement for pregnant women and children. It is one of the most important leafy vegetable consumed in Burkina Faso. However, leaf biomass yields remain low and production is still unable to meet the increasing demand. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the agronomic performances of four morphotypes identified during our previous studies. It will be also question to evaluate their biochemical composition and to study the relationship between agronomic and biochemical traits. Four morphotypes were evaluate agronomical according to Fisher block design using 12 quantitative traits. Fresh leaves of each morphotype were then used for determination of beta-carotene content and mineral element content.The results of the study showed great variability in the agronomic performance and biochemical composition of the four morphotypes. The morphotype (SBL1) with green and shiny leaves expressed the best performance in biomass and number of primary branches as well as in nutritional elements such as iron, potassium and beta carotene. This morphotype could be used as a breeding parent in an extension program for the valorization of this leafy vegetable.

Sweet grain sorghum is an under-exploited crop mainly grown around dwelling houses. Its production faces harsh environmental conditions. This study aims to assess sowing date effect on morpho-agronomical traits of sweet grain sorghum. Thus, 30 genotypes of sweet grain sorghum were assessed under 2 planting dates (June 26 and July 20) 24 days apart in a Randomized Complete Block Designs with 3 replications using 10 traits. The results showed a significant effect of sowing date on most of the traits, except internode length. All genotypes were sensitive to photoperiod variation by reducing their sowing-flowering cycle from 08 to 20 days, size and yield at the second planting date. Delayed sowing also resulted in a decrease in plant height (66.4 cm), 100 grain weight (8.3%), panicle weight (16.84%) and grain yield per plant (18.93%). The genotypes expressed a differential sensitivity to photoperiod variation with a mean coefficient of 0.59. Finally, a clustered flowering of all genotypes between September 11 and 27 was observed for both sowing dates. These results could be exploited by sweet sorghum breeding programme in the definition of the cropping calendar.

Calabash (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.) has long been an essential species for communities in Africa. Over the past decades, its production has gradually declined. Developing knowledge of existing ethnovarieties and the causes of their decline, as well of the socio-cultural services associated with the ethnovarieties and the chosen local management strategies, could contribute to their better valorization and conservation. This study aims to (i) map existing ethnovarieties, (ii) determine the endogenous management strategies, (iii) document the socio-cultural services associated with the ethnovarieties, and (iv) determine the causes of the decline. First, a non-probabilistic snowball sampling technique was used to identify the producers to be involved in the study. Then, semi-structured interviews involving 80 producers from 8 provinces across Burkina Faso were conducted using a questionnaire. Data were processed and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and R software version 4.5.0. The study revealed two types of calabashes: edible and non-edible ethnovarieties. For each type, several ethnovarieties were recorded according to socio-cultural and environmental factors. Most of the respondents were more familiar with non-edible ethnovarieties compared to the edible ones. Five socio-cultural services, including food and cultural uses, were identified. The decline of the species was associated with the relatively long production cycle of the plant, the fragility of the pericarp, the competition with alternative products, and socio-cultural restrictions limiting cultivation and knowledge transmission. Nevertheless, the persistence of certain ancestral practices still contributes to maintaining the species in local production systems. The results could help to develop contextualized strategies for the valorization, sustainable management, and in situ and ex situ conservation of calabash genetic resources in Burkina Faso and beyond.