Onion is one of the most economically and nutritionally important vegetable crops in West Africa. Onions are very important for consumers due to the antioxidants and compounds they contain that may reduce inflammation, lower triglycerides and reduce cholesterol levels, resulting in lower risks of heart disease and blood clots. However, high-yielding varieties that are accessible to farmers remain scarce. The objective of the present study was to identify adapted onion genotypes for sustainable production in Northern Ghana and Southern Mali. Nine onion lines, including a check variety, were assessed for yield stability using a randomized complete block design. The trials were carried out in “technology parks” under the joint management of farmers and researchers. Onion bulb weight was recorded for each plot after harvest. Separate analyses of variances were performed for each location and season. Analysis of variance of combined locations, seasons and lines was performed to determine the most stable varieties using the line-superiority measure and ecovalence stability coefficients. Results indicated that the lines AVON1310 and AVON1325 were most stable for yield performance over locations and seasons (Wi = 2.20 and 11.60, respectively; Pi = 1.32 and 6.56, respectively). From the genotype main effects and genotype-by-environment interaction biplots, the best performing lines were AVON1310 (33.32 t.h⁻¹), AVON1308 (28.81 t.h⁻¹) and AVON1325 (31.68 t.h⁻¹). The stability of these lines makes them potential candidates for commercial release in West Africa to contribute to sustainably intensifying onion production in the region.

Despite its low integration into breeding programs in Africa, vegetable cultivation is increasingly seen as contributing to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, including gender equality and women’s empowerment. Seeking evidence of this, we analyze a genetic intensification activity offering improved tomato and African eggplant varieties to women and men farmers in southern Mali. We use a sustainable intensification assessment framework (SIAF), with a mixed methods approach, to conduct a gender analysis of this activity in five sustainability domains. Results and recommendations underline that breeding initiatives need to be accompanied by measures that transform the gender relations in which production is embedded. Equity emerges as a precondition for sustainable vegetable farming.

Tomato is widely produced in Burkina Faso for its culinary, nutritional, and economic value. Tens of thousands of farmers are involved in its production throughout the country. However, they face significant biotic constraints that limit yields and income. In particular, tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a begomovirus transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), severely affects tomato production. This study evaluated the response of 13 tomato genotypes to tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD), including eight lines with different Ty resistance gene combinations; three local improved varieties, and two commercial varieties in western and central Burkina Faso. All genotypes developed TYLCD symptoms with considerable variability in genotypic responses. Four genotypes carrying a single gene, namely CLN4279O (Ty2), CLN4270I (Ty1/Ty3), CLN4270F (Ty1/Ty3), and CLN4018G (Ty2), exhibited the best field tolerance, with lower disease incidence and severity across sites. In contrast, genotype CLN4078A carrying two resistance genes (Ty1/Ty3 + Ty2), and the checks PETOMECH and ROMA VF were highly susceptible. Hierarchical clustering grouped the genotypes into four classes based on tolerance level and yield. These findings highlight the variability in resistance expression under field conditions and suggest possible interactions between host genotype, environmental factors, and virus populations. Broader multi-site evaluations, supported by molecular diagnostics to identify endemic TYLCV strains, are needed to refine the selection process.

Onion is one of the most economically and nutritionally important vegetable crops in West Africa. However, high-yielding varieties that are accessible to farmers remain scarce. Onion lines from the World Vegetable Center’s Allium program were evaluated during the cool and dry season from September to March for three years to identify adapted onion lines suitable for sustainable intensi-fication of production systems in Northern Ghana and Southern Mali. Trials were implemented in the Upper East and Northern Regions of Ghana and in two districts in the Sudan savanna zones of Mali (Bougouni and Koutiala). Nine onion lines, including a check variety were assessed for yield stability using a randomized complete block design. The trials were carried out in “technology parks” under the joint management of farmers and researchers. Onion bulb weight was recorded for each plot after harvest. Separate analyses of variances were performed for each location and season. Analysis of variance of combined locations, seasons and lines was made to determine the most stable varieties using the line-superiority measure and ecovalence stability coefficients. Results indicated that lines AVON1310 and AVON1325 were most stable for yield performance over lo-cations and seasons. From the genotype main effects and genotype-by-environment interaction (GGE) biplot, the best performing lines were AVON1310 (33.32 t.h-1), AVON1308 (28.81 t.h-1) and AVON1325 (31.68 t.h-1). These lines are potential candidates for sustainable intensification of onion production in Ghana and Mali.

Introduction: Onion ( Allium cepa L.) is the second most commonly produced and consumed vegetable worldwide. In West Africa, high heat and moisture are key constraints for onion productivity during the rainy-season. This study aimed to assess the combining ability, heterosis, and genetic variability of five onion genotypes and 10 F ₁ hybrids generated through a half diallel mating design to identify superior parental lines and hybrids adapted to heat and moisture conditions. Method: The experiment involved five parents: Prema 178, EW001, Violet d’Abéché, Violet de Galmi and AC980. The trials were implemented on station at the World Vegetable Center in Samanko by using a randomized complete block design. Twelve morphological, physiological, and agronomic traits were evaluated. Results: Analysis of variance showed substantial genetic variability. Significant general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects indicated that both additive and non-additive gene actions influence key traits. The best general combiner was Parent P1 (Prema 178), which had the best positive GCA effects on plant survival rate (5 and 4.98), plant height (2.36 and 2.53), number of bulbs (5.82 and 3.38), and bulb yield (2.09 and 2.44). The hybrids P4×P5 (Violet de Galmi x AC980) and P1xP5 (Prema 178×AC980) had the most positive SCA effects and the best heterosis values over the midparent (105.26%) and better parent (94.56%) for bulb yield, as well as strong vigor and root growth. Discussion: These results demonstrate that the hybrids P4×P5, P1×P5, and P3×P5 are good candidates for multilocation testing in high heat and high moisture prone conditions.