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Vegetable soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) is a highly nutritious crop in Africa whose attributes make it a product of choice to formulate diets with numerous human health benefits. The crop is still novel in West Africa, but is making inroads in many countries of the region. The objective of this study was to evaluate selected vegetable soybean varieties for agronomic performance and stability for fresh pod yield across Benin. Thirty-five vegetable soybean varieties were planted at three locations, namely Calavi, Grand-Popo and Sèmè, for two seasons. There was a significant variation (P < 0.05 ; P< 0.01 and P < 0.001) among genotypes for most quantitative traits; with highly significant environmental (P < 0.001) and GEI effects on fresh pod yield (P < 0.001). Genotype Maksoy 3N (15.9 t ha-1) had the highest fresh pod yield; while genotype AGS466 was the most stable across environments. Based on GGE, Sèmè-2 was the ideal environment for growing vegetable soybean in Benin. The study confirmed that vegetable soybean is well adapted to be grown in Benin and varieties AGS466, AGS346 and Ashorowase are candidates for wide cultivation in the country. Also, grain soybean varieties (S1079- 6-7 and Maksoy 3N) are well suited to produce vegetable soybean in Benin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socio-demographic factors are often responsible for the persistent neglect of orphan crops such as Kersting's groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum) in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of socio-demographic factors on production of Kersting's groundnut (KG), as a basis for informing policy and development efforts in Benin. Data were collected from 305 randomly selected respondents from three major KG growing areas of Benin (Zou, Collines and Plateau). Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, ordered logit models and Kendall's coefficient of concordance were used to analyse data, rank and prioritise production constraints across sociodemographic clusters. Factors such as land tenure, farm size, farming experience, education level, age and location had significant positive influence on cultivated KG plot size. Similarly, gender, education level and membership to cooperative groups had positive effects on farmer-reported yield. Furthermore, location in the department of Zou had a negative effect on reported yield. Production activities (sowing and harvesting) were significantly influenced by gender and education level. The most significant constraints were damage due to transhumance, lack of quality seed, changing rainfall patterns, production complexity and poor access to credit and land. Strategic actions for boosting KG productivity should include use of improved varieties, sustainable seed system, appropriate crop management practices, and improved access to credit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swift delivery of quality seeds to farming communities is a fundamental step in mainstreaming the value chain of orphan crops. The objective of this study was to characterise seed production and delivery systems of the orphan Kersting's groundnut (KG) [Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal & Baudet] and their influence on seed quality in Benin. A survey was conducted among 305 farmers from the major KG growing areas in Benin. A total of 60 seed samples were collected from different sources (farmer own seed, local markets and agro-dealers) for quality tests. The results showed that seed sources, acquisition modes and perceived quality differed significantly (P<0.01) among gender groups and with farming experience. Majority of farmers (74.93%) perceived seeds acquired from the local markets and seed stored in non-hermetic conditions as of poor quality compared to seeds sourced from their own stock and stored in hermetic conditions. Yet, the seed quality analysis revealed no differences (P<0.05) among the sources and storage methods. Less than 20% of the tested samples met the national quality standards suggesting an important quality constraint in the current system which may justify the reported low yield and crop failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current low soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) yields in Sub-Saharan Africa can be alleviated by developing promiscuous genotypes. The research trend in Africa is towards developing promiscuous varieties for less labour and high yields in soybean production. A greenhouse experiment was conducted at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) with the aim of screening of soybean germplasm for promiscuous symbiotic association with Bradyrhizobium sp. in order to identify genotypes with potential to be used as parents to initiate a breeding programme focusing on promiscuous nodulation. The response of 65 soybean genotypes from different origins to cowpea-type inoculant, Bradyrhizobium sp. strain USDA 3456 were evaluated. Soybean seeds inoculated with both Bradyrhizobium sp. strain USDA 3456 and Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain USDA 110 were planted in buckets filled with steam-sterilised soil. Significant differences in the number of nodules, effective nodules, fresh and dry weight of nodules were observed among genotypes (P<0.001). Twelve of the 65 genotypes were highly responsive to Bradyrhizobium sp., with over 10 nodules per plant, over 50 mg dry weight of nodules, and 50% effective nodules. A highly positive correlation was shown between dry weight of nodules and nodule number. This study proposes the soybean genotypes NamII, WonderSoya, Bulindi 48C, NamSoy 4M, MakSoy 3N, NamSoy 3, K-Local, Kabanyolo 1, UG 5, Soprano, MakSoy 2N, and MakSoy 5N as potential parental materials for subsequent breeding work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]