Mahamadou Sawadogo

Okra [ Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is a widespread traditional vegetable in Burkina Faso, whose fruits are rich in trace elements, vitamins, fiber, and mucilage. Despite favorable soil and climatic conditions, production remains low due to socio-cultural constraints and a lack of high-performing, adapted varieties. To identify okra lines with superior agromorphologique performance and potential for varietal selection, eight lines seven from Burkina Faso (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 and V8) and one from Mali (V7) were characterized using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on nine qualitative and sixteen quantitative traits. The results showed variability in stem, fruit, and seed characteristics. Indeed, the most significant variations in phenotypic traits were observed in stem and fruit coloration, seed weight per plant, immature fruit weight, and seed yield. Lines V3, V5, V7, and V8 exhibited desirable traits, notably earliness, large leaf size, fruit coloration, a high number of seeds per fruit, high seed weight, and high yield and could be used in a hybridization program to develop okra varieties that combine a maximum of desired characteristics. Seed yield (SY) showed the highest heritability associated with the most significant genetic gain. This combination indicates strong additive gene action, suggesting that direct selection of the best lines based on field performance will allow for rapid and significant improvement in okra productivity.

La faible fertilité des sols, associée à une nodulation souvent insuffisante, constituel'une des principales contraintes limitant la productivité du niébé. Dans ce contexte,l'identification de variétés performantes et de stratégies de fertilisation adaptéesapparaît indispensable pour améliorer durablement la production de cettelégumineuse. Quatre niveaux de fertilisation dont F0 : témoin, F1 : NPK à 100 kg/ha,F2 : non enrichi à 2500 kg/ha, F3 : compost enrichi à 2500 kg/ha ont été appliqués surles variétés Neerwaya, Teeksongo, Issa Sosso, Makoyin et Yipoussi.L'expérimentation a été conduite selon un dispositif en split-plot à deux facteurs etseize paramètres quantitatifs ont été évalués. Les résultats ont révélé une interactionsignificative (P < 0,05) entre la variété et le mode de fertilisation pour la nodulationet le rendement en graines. Les variétés Makoyin, Teeksongo et Yipoussi ontenregistré leurs meilleurs rendements sous fertilisation minérale (F1), tandis queNeerwaya a mieux valorisé le compost non enrichi (F2). À l'inverse, la variété IssaSosso a enregistré un rendement plus élevé avec F0. Quant à la nodulation, elle a étéoptimisée sous la F3 pour la majorité des variétés, excepté Makoyin et Teeksongo quiont mieux répondu à la F2. En somme, chacune des variétés du niébé a exprimé sonpotentiel génétique en fonction de la disponibilité des nutriments du sol. Enl'occurrence, le compost agit sur la nodulation et le NPK sur la production de grainesdu niébé

Chrysanthellum americanum L. VATKE is a herbaceous plant widely used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses (kidney stones, anemia, malaria, etc.). Knowledge of the growth potential, vegetative development and phytochemical potential of a number of Chrysanthellum americanum L. VATKE morphotypes could help to enhance the value of the species. It is in this context that this study was initiated, with a view to gaining knowledge of the agro-morphological and biochemical characteristics of Chrysanthellum americanum L. VATKE. The study was carried out at the experimental station of the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research Saria (INERA/Saria. Four morphotypes (MT1, MT2, MT3 and MT4) from a mixture of Chrysanthellem americanum seed collected from Bobo, Nandiala and Tema were grown in a Fisher design with three replications. A total of 27 agro-morphological parameters, including 8 qualitative and 19 quantitative, were observed and measured. Morphotypes showed variation in achene color and stem habit. Significant differences between morphotypes were observed for parameters related to growth, plant phenological cycle and yield. The MT3 morphotype was the best performing, with greater plant spread (22.34±1.02 cm), longer (10.78±0.57 cm) and wider leaves (6.28±0.21 cm), a high number of secondary branches (10.78±0.52), and higher yields of achenes (1.44±0.12 t/ha) and fresh tops (10.08±0.31 t/ha). Morphotype MT4 achieved the highest thousand achene weight (0.70 g), and morphotypes MT1 and MT4 recorded the highest fertile achene/flower frequencies (73%). For cycle length, morphotypes MT1 and MT2 were early with 71.33±2.40 JAS and 69.00±2.52 JAS. Respectively 9 biochemical parameters, 5 qualitative and 4 quantitative, were evaluated. All morphotypes showed the presence of saponosides, flavonoids, polyphenols, steroids and triterpenes, but no alkaloids. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference between morphotypes for parameters related to phenolic compound content and antioxidant activities. Morphotype MT3 had the highest polyphenol content (110.66±1.97 mg EAG/g), flavonoid content (12.23±0.13 µg EQ/g) and iron reducing capacity (79±0.96 µmol/g). On the other hand, the MT2 morphotype performed best in DPPH antiradical activity, with 92.27±0.86% inhibition.

Rhizomes of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) are widely used as a spice across the world. It has originated from South-east Asia and introduced to many parts of the world, and has been cultivated as a spice and for medicinal purpose. Ginger is a high value crop in Burkina Faso. The genetic diversity organization in ginger species is not well-known in Burkina Faso. Genetic resources are imperative for varietal selection. The importance of genetic resources depends on the levels of their diversity. The present investigation aims to assess the diversity of ginger accessions collected from Burkina Faso. Forty-seven ginger accessions collected from three provinces, Comoé (03), Léraba (14), Kénédougou (30), located in the southwestern zone of Burkina Faso were genotyped for their molecular traits using microsatellite markers. A total of 24 alleles were revealed by electrophoresis. All the simple-sequence repeats (SSR) set primers used revealed high polymorphic rate (100%) with the expected heterozygosity (0.499), showing their ability in assessment of the diversity levels and genetic organization of ginger accessions due to their codominance. The dendrogram obtained by the Neighbor-Joining method revealed three main genetic groups. The genetic differentiation index value (0.313) showed that the accessions of the three provinces were different, with an interesting diversity observed from kénédougou ginger accessions. Information from this study could be used in the development of effective management strategies for the conservation and effective use of the genetic resources within ginger accessions grown in Burkina Faso.

The market value of cotton in exporting countries, such as Burkina Faso, depends on the quality of major fiber properties. A lack of variation among the genetic resources available in Burkina Faso hinders breeding progress to meet fiber quality demands in future cultivars. F₁ populations from a half diallel crossing scheme between lines developed at Texas A&M AgriLife cotton breeding program at Lubbock and germplasm accessed from Burkina Faso were evaluated for fiber property enhancement. Crosses exclusively within common origin materials did not result in highly enhanced hybrids. Hybrids within American materials expressed significant SCA effects undesirable for future cultivars in Burkina Faso. Five hybrids within the Burkina Faso material expressed significant SCA effects: two of them implicating FK37 as the better parent in transmitting superior targeted fiber traits to its progenies. Hybrid FK37xE9 significantly enhanced UHML, Str, UI and SFI but not Mic and Rd. Inter-program hybrids with at least one significant SCA effect were crosses with female American lines and male Burkina Faso parents. Hybrids E53x16-2-216FQ, E53x15-10-610-7 and E32x15-10-610-7 showed significantly improved Str and UI for the most economically important traits, which also include Mic, UHML, SFI, Rd and +b. Together, the GCA and SCA effects, heritability and correlations showed more additive than non-additive gene actions. Therefore, knowledge of the best combiners and hybrids could be used in the cultivar development process to enhance value with improved fiber characteristics.

Vegetable Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is one of the neglected legumes in Burkina Faso, and as a result, its genetic diversity remains poorly known. The main aim of this study was to know its genetic variability through an agro-morphological characterization. Twenty vegetable cowpea varieties were evaluated at the Kamboinsé Environmental, Agricultural and Training Research Center following a three-replication Fischer block design under rainfed conditions. Fifteen quantitative and nine qualitative variables were collected and subjected to various statistical analyses. Analysis of variance was significant for the variables 50% flowering, vegetable cowpea date, number of pods obtained per plant, number of seeds per pod, fresh pod weight, fresh pod yield, pod length, plant height, seed length and chlorophyll content. Strong correlations were also reported between the various variables. The observed diversity is structured in three morphological groups viz., Group 1 consists of individuals with early flowering, high chlorophyll content and the number of pods obtained per plant. Group 2 brings together the varieties of average agronomic performance for pod length, the number of pods per plant, number of days at 95% maturity, fresh pod weight, yield of fresh pods and group 3 of varieties with long pods, early green date, high pod weight and good fresh pod yield. Among the tested varieties, the varieties IT83S-872 (30 pods), IT84S-2246 (27 pods), Baguette (25 pods), IT83S-818 (26 pods), and IT85F-2682 (24 pods) stood out for their high pod production. In addition, the varieties of vegetable cowpea baguette, baguette grimpant, Telma, and IT83S-911 showed the best performance in terms of early vegetable cowpea date stage, longest pods, highest pod weight and best yield of fresh pods. The high genetic variability level within the tested varieties could be exploited in future green cowpea breeding programmes.

Sennaobtusifolia (L.) is a plant in the genus Senna that contributes to improving nutritional quality, food security, and better health protection for rural populations. However, very few studies have been devoted to it in Burkina Faso. Consequently, its genetic diversity remains poorly known. Such neglect would lead to the erosion of its genetic resource. The general objective of this study is to contribute to a better knowledge of the genetic diversity of the species in order to be able to issue scientific bases for its conservation, valorization, and genetic improvement. Sixty (60) accessions of Senna obtusifolia were collected in the wild from five provinces of three climatic zones of Burkina Faso. Molecular characterization was carried out using 18 SSR markers. Fifteen were polymorphic microsatellite markers leading one hundred and one (101) alleles in total, with an average of seven (7) alleles per locus. The number of effective alleles was 2.33. Expected heterozygosity, Shannon diversity index, and polymorphism information content averaged 0.47, 1.05, and 0.47. Molecular characterization revealed the existence of genetic diversity within the collection. This diversity has been structured into three genetic groups. Genetic group 3 presents the highest genetic diversity parameters.

Les extraits d’organes de manguier (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiacaea) présentent un potentiel d’utilisation dans des applications pharmaceutiques. Le but de cette étude est de contribuer à une meilleure connaissance des vertus thérapeutiques du manguier au Burkina Faso. Des enquêtes ethnobotaniques ont été réalisées à l’aide de questionnaire auprès des phytothérapeutes de trois régions du Burkina Faso (Centre-Ouest, Hauts-Bassins et Cascades). Les résultats ont été obtenus auprès de 45 phytothérapeutes enquêtés. Ces phytothérapeutes sont représentés par 79% d’hommes et 21% de femmes. La tranche d’âge comprise entre 31 et 40 ans est la plus représentée, soit 32,41% et 59,25% des phytothérapeutes enquêté sont non scolarisés. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de répertorier des maladies couramment traitées avec les organes du manguier. De plus, les feuilles du manguier des variétés ordinaires (Mangot vert et sabre) surtout sont les plus utilisées dans la préparation médicamenteuse. La décoction est le mode de préparation le plus sollicité et l’administration des remèdes se fait par voie orale (100%). Une étude pharmacologique devrait permettre l’incorporation des extraits des organes du manguier dans des compléments alimentaires pour traiter certaines maladies.

Soybean is one of the promising food crops and feeds which contributes significantly to the development of agriculture in Burkina Faso. However, very few improved soybean varieties have been developed in the country. The introduction of new genotypes with high agronomic potential and adapted to the climatic conditions of the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso will boost soybean production in the region. Twenty-four (24) newly introduced soybean genotypes were evaluated for their agromorphological and adaptation characteristics in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso. The variability parameters such as genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, broad sense heritability, and expected genetic advance were estimated for 14 agromorphological characters. The experimental design used in this study was an alpha lattice with 3 replications. Planting was done following a spacing of 50 cm (inter-row) × 5 cm (within row). Analysis of variance revealed significant difference ( ; ) for all characters studied except the nodule diameter, nodule score, and grain yield. The values of the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters indicating the influence of environmental factors. The highest GCV and PVC values were found in the number of nodules (70.07% and 77.26%), number of seeds per plant (41.34% and 44.18%), and number of pods per plant (29.27% and 33.50%), respectively. High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance expressed as a percentage of mean were observed for 10 of the 14 traits, suggesting an important expected genetic gain allowing more success in selection.

Cotton breeding progress stagnation, changing production conditions, and continued high fiber quality demands are challenging the cotton industry in Burkina Faso. The F₁ populations developed by half diallel crosses between germplasm from Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Burkina Faso were evaluated for several agronomic traits. The aim was to identify the most promising parents and hybrids for further varietal improvement. Three AgriLife parents helped improve the most important targeted traits. Parent 15-3-416 reduced days to 50% flowering (−3.14 days) and shortened plant height (−22.25 cm) in hybrids while 16-2-216FQ improved their fiber percentage (+2.68%). Hybrids with Burkina Faso elite cultivar E32 as male parent and the three best AgriLife parents as the females showed good specific combining ability (SCA). FK37 × 15-10-610-7 and FK64 × 15-10-610-7 showed heterosis for earliness by reducing, respectively, days to 50% flowering (−4.27 days) or days to 50% boll opening (−3.95 days) below parent means. E32 × 16-2-216FQ and FK64 × 16-2-216FQ increased fiber percentage by +1.75% and +2.06%, respectively. FK64 × 15-3-416 increased seed index (SI) (+0.62 g) and fiber percentage (+1.19%), while maintaining other traits at the parents’ average levels. E32 × 15-3-416 showed the most heterosis for desired improvements, reducing days to 50% flowering (−4) and increasing the number of bolls/vegetative branch (+3.05), number of bolls/fruiting branch (+6.38), number of bolls/plant (+13.49), boll weight (+1.53 g), SI (+0.40 g), and fiber percentage (+1.18%). Inter-program crosses show the potential to enhance genetic diversity in Burkina Faso’s breeding program. Subsequent selection methods must be carefully applied considering the Burkina Faso breeding objectives for future cultivars.