Biology subjects

Achigan-Dako, E. G.

Publications and source records attributed to Achigan-Dako, E. G..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Genotype-by-environment interaction analysis for flowering, maturity time and yield in fonio across traditional and prospective production areas in Northern Benin

In this study, the critical gap in understanding how fonio responds to contrasting pedoclimatic conditions, both within and outside its traditional production areas was addressed. A multi-environment trial was carried out to identify high-yielding genotypes with either broad stability or specific adaptation, thereby enabling targeted varietal recommendations to support the expansion of fonio cultivation into new areas. Randomized complete block design was used in six environments with eleven genotypes to evaluate flowering and maturity times, and grain yield. The Additive Main effect and Multiplicative Interaction and the Genotype main effect and Genotype x Environment interaction biplots revealed a significant effect of the genotype-by-environment interactions on traits, with genotypes B12 and G31 identified as high-yielding, while genotypes M5 and M14 were revealed as early-flowering and maturing. Genotypes M14 and M15 were adapted to all environments and early maturing. Boukoumbe, known as the fonio production area in Benin, was the most desirable for earliness, while Ina was the most ideal for grain yield, proving that fonio could be cultivated in Sudanian and Sudano-Guinean areas. Factor analysis revealed precipitation, C:N ratio, soil pH and texture as the main environmental variables influencing the grain yield in fonio. Our findings contributed to selecting stable, adapted genotypes.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

Diversity of soil bacterial communities in response to fonio genotypes and pedoclimatic conditions in Benin

In sub-Saharan regions, soil fertility is a major concern for plant productivity, influenced by physical, chemical, and biological components. Among biological properties, the recruitment of soil microbial communities by plant roots is influenced by both physico-chemical soil properties and plant characteristics, dependent on species or genotypes. Here, rhizosphere bacterial communities associated with five fonio genotypes cultivated under three locations were investigated. Rhizosphere soils were collected for high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize soil bacterial diversity. Additional parameters were assessed to classify soil fertility at three locations and to evaluate relationships between the bacterial communitys composition and soil fertility variables. PCA revealed a clear effect of location, whereas genotype had no significant impact on soil chemical properties or enzyme activities. Overall, soils were low in fertility, with Boukoumbe soil standing out for its higher chemical values and enzyme activities. For example, Boukoumbe reached 1.48% organic carbon, compared to 0.61% in Gogounou and 0.36% in Ina. Similarly, total nitrogen and available phosphorus were also higher in Boukoumbe. Regarding bacterial community, there is no impact of location and genotype on their richness and diversity. However, Bray-Curtis index revealed a significant difference in bacterial community structure among locations, but not among fonio genotypes. This suggests, in rhizosphere, bacterial community structure is more modulated by soil properties than crop genotypes. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota were most abundant phyla, varying significantly across locations. Moraxellaceae and Oxalobacteraceae bacteria were most abundant families within Proteobacteria, while Chitinophagaceae and Weekselleceae dominated in Bacteroidota. Our study highlighted the significant roles of soil pH, as well as sulfate and nitrate content, in shaping bacterial communities. These findings offer valuable insights into the bacterial communities associated with fonio and their key drivers. This will support future research in identifying plant-growth bacteria that improve soil fertility and health, and crop productivity. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIStudied sites presented low chemical fertility, with a decreasing fertility gradient observed from Boukoumbe to Ina and Gogounou. C_LIO_LIFonio rhizosphere presents a similar alpha-diversity in bacterial communities across locations and genotypes. C_LIO_LIProteobacteria and Bacteroidota were the most abundant phyla in fonio rhizosphere, varying significantly across locations. C_LIO_LISoil pH, nitrates and sulfates contents were the key drivers of the bacterial community composition in fonio rhizosphere, whatever the location. C_LI

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Citizen science informs demand-driven breeding of opportunity crops

CONTEXTOpportunity crops, also known as neglected and underutilized species (NUS), offer benefits to diversify food systems with nutritious and climate-resilient foods. A major limitation to incorporate these crops in farming systems is the lack of improved varieties impedes farmers accessing quality planting material of these crops. OBJECTIVESThe study explored how citizen science methods can support demand-driven breeding and seed production of opportunity crops using leafy amaranth - a nutritious and hardy vegetable- as a case study. The study identified farmer preferences and market segments, with particular attention to gender and social differentiation. METHODSWe used the tricot approach to conduct participatory on-farm trials of 14 varieties with 2,063 farmers from Benin, Mali, and Tanzania. We then analyzed farmer trait and varietal preferences in aggregate and among segments of farmers, generated using cluster analysis. RESULTSFarmers overall preferences for amaranth varieties was driven principally by plant survival, yield, leaf size, taste, and marketability. Distinct farmer segments (older women generalists, young women specialists, older men generalists, and young men specialists) preferred different varieties depending on gender, business-orientation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONThe farmer segments identified here, along with their unique variety preferences provide valuable information for breeders and seed enterprises, and support demand-driven amaranth breeding and seed system development. We specifically noted the need for breeding programs to understand the preferences of young amaranth specialists, both men and women, and to explore organoleptic and market-related properties of amaranth. SIGNIFICANCEOur findings on differentiated producer preferences will support scaling seed supply of amaranth in Africa to diversify farming systems with a climate-resilient and nutritious crop. The methods used and lessons learned from our citizen science exercise can be applied to enhance breeding and seed supply of other opportunity crops that are underutilized in Africa or other continents. HighlightsO_LIFarmer citizen science methods reveal seed market insights for opportunity crops C_LIO_LIAmaranth variety preferences vary widely across gender, age, and countries C_LIO_LIYoung amaranth producers focus on market and sensory traits compared to old producers C_LIO_LILarge-scale farmer feedback guides opportunity crop breeding for diverse segments C_LI

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

The genome of Gynandropsis gynandra provides insights into whole-genome duplications and the evolution of C4 photosynthesis in Cleomaceae

Gynandropsis gynandra (Cleomaceae) is a cosmopolitan leafy vegetable and medicinal plant, which has also been used as a model to study C4 photosynthesis due to its evolutionary proximity to Arabidopsis. Here, we present a high-quality genome sequence of G. gynandra, anchored onto 17 main super- scaffolds with a total length of 740 Mb, an N50 of 42 Mb and 30,933 well-supported gene models. The G. gynandra genome and previously released genomes of C3 relatives in the Cleomaceae and Brassicaceae make an excellent model for studying the role of genome evolution in the transition from C3 to C4 photosynthesis. We revealed that G. gynandra and its C3 relative Tarenaya hassleriana shared a whole-genome duplication event (Gg-), then an addition of a third genome (Th-, +1x) took place in T. hassleriana but not in G. gynandra. Analysis of syntenic copy number of C4 photosynthesis-related gene families indicates that G. gynandra generally retained more duplicated copies of these genes than C3 T. hassleriana, and also that the G. gynandra C4 genes might have been under positive selection pressure. Both whole-genome and single-gene duplication were found to contribute to the expansion of the aforementioned gene families in G. gynandra. Collectively, this study enhances our understanding of the impact of gene duplication and gene retention on the evolution of C4 photosynthesis in Cleomaceae.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Managed woodlot revealed a trade-off between edible leaves and timber production in Vitex doniana Sweet (Lamiaceae)

Vitex doniana Sweet is a major wild-harvested tree resource for food in Benin. However, the species is under threats characterised by increasing human pressure on remnant populations. This study represents the first to explore species response to biotic stress. We tested the response of V. doniana to coppicing and fertilization. Two stump heights (20 and 40 cm) in combination with three organic manure rates (0.5; 1 and 1.5 kg per seedling), with eight replicates were tested in a randomised complete block design. We used mixed effect models with pseudoreplication, and the maximum likelihood method to compare effects of fixed factors on sprouting vigour, sprout growth and biomass yield in the short (12 months) and medium (5 years) terms. Results indicated that stump height significantly affected sprouting and all growth parameters, in the short and medium terms. However, there seemed a delayed effect of manure. We found initial seedling growth also an important factor. The hidden effect of stump height on biomass yield is discussed. Findings clearly indicate a trade-off between edible leaves and timber production by managed woodlot. Implications of findings for further investigation of above and below ground biomass dynamics and resources allocation in treated trees are discussed.\n\nHighlightsA clear trade-off between edible leaves and timber production is observed in managed Vitex doniana Sweet woodlot. Coppicing as a biotic stress induced important physiological changes that merit further investigations.

plant biology↗