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Thirty soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotypes, along with three checks, were evaluated over three seasons across five communes in Benin. The experiments were laid out in an alpha lattice design with three replicates. Additive multiplicative mean interaction (AMMI) and best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) analysis were combined to assess differential agronomic performance and yield stability among genotypes. There was significant variation (p < 0.001) between genotypes for all traits, with highly significant environmental and genotype × environment interaction (GEI) effects on soybean grain yield (p < 0.001). The likelihood ratio test indicated that both genotype and interaction effects were highly significant (p < 0.001). The low R² (0.21) for GEI reflected the presence of high residual variation in the GEI component, in contrast to the AMMI analysis of variance, which explained a high proportion of the GEI through the first two interaction principal component axes (52%). The very high value of the predictive accuracy (0.89) confirmed the model’s reliability in selecting superior genotypes. The low (0.33) genotypic correlation between environments indicated that it was difficult to select superior genotypes for each environment. Based on the superiority index (weighted average absolute scores from BLUP for yield) of BLUP, simultaneous selection led to the identification of Jenguma 2.67 ± 0.06 t ha−1 as the most stable and productive genotype across environments, followed by Favour 2.34 ± 0.08 t ha−1, and Afayak 2.46 ± 0.08 t ha−1. The agronomic performance of soybean in this study suggested great potential for diversifying cotton-based cropping systems in Benin, thereby improving their sustainability. The effect of these soybean genotypes on the productivity of intercrop combinations and sequences of cash crops, such as cotton, is yet to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edamame has many nutritional and human health benefits and has the potential to overcome malnutrition, a common scourge among West African populations. This study aims to identify sensory preference criteria in order to select edamame varieties that meet the organoleptic needs of potential consumers in Benin. Ten soybean varieties were selected on the basis of their stability, adaptability, and yield performance in Benin. These varieties were evaluated by a hedonic test conducted with 200 untrained panelists, followed by a descriptive sensory evaluation conducted with 20 trained panelists identified and selected among the previous 2. The hedonic test used sensory attributes such as appearance, flavor, taste, and texture. The descriptive test characterized each sensory parameter using sensory descriptors such as seed size, green color, sweetness, aftertaste, starch, nuttiness, beaniness, and chewiness. The study showed significant variation in sensory attributes for most genotypes (p <.001), expressing the variation in choices made by panelists. With the exception of flavor, all other sensory parameters scored higher. Sensory preference criteria were large seed size, sweetness, moderate chewiness, and starchy texture. The genotypes AGS 466, AGS 472, and Ashorowase were the most preferred by more than 90% of the panelists. In contrast, the soybean varieties Maksoy 3N and Early Hakucho were the least preferred by less than 20% of the panelist. The grain type soybean variety S1079‐6‐7, which showed moderate acceptability for edamame consumption among consumers in Benin may be considered by breeders for improvement of sensory attributes. Practical Applications: This study revealed the sensory preference criteria of consumers in Benin for edamame. Such information is instrumental in the design of breeding programs for the crop. Also the findings of this study is useful for market segmentation. The panelists expressed high willingness to adopt edamame consumption. This is key, as it can it will inform decision of private companies, maket gardenning professionnals and ultimately can boost the edamame sector in Benin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is a highly nutritious grain legume crop in the world. However, cowpea production is constrained by legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata Fabricius) (LPB), which feeds on various parts of cowpea plant, causing a complete crop failure. An analysis of the existing literature revealed LPB as a serious threat to cowpea production worldwide, with a more noticeable damage in Africa. Attempts to develop and use LPB-resistant cowpea varieties have not shown significant results because of challenges, such as interspecific crossing barriers, genetic variability among LPB strains, effects of genotype-by-environment interaction, limited knowledge of the genetic architecture of the trait, and the socio-political barriers to the adoption of transgenic cowpea varieties in some countries. Combining multi-environment trials with precise phenotyping would help optimize selection of best-performing cowpea genotypes to reduce LPB infestation. Many molecular tools (e.g., markers systems, genetics maps, high-throughput genotyping, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis) are available to support breeding for LPB resistance in cowpea. In addition, mutation breeding, tissue culture, reverse genetics, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technologies can be used to increase genetic variability in cowpea for LPB resistance. The effective use of these technologies relies on an enabling legal and socio-economic-political environment for fast development and adoption of LPB-resistant cowpea varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild-edible fruits tree (WEFT) species constitute an important source of nutrients but nowadays, these resources are concentrated in the protected areas. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity and distribution pattern of WEFT species in the Lama Forest Reserve in Benin, to provide basics for designing appropriate conservation strategies. An inventory of WEFT species was carried out in 53 square plots demarcated in the four vegetation types of the reserve. Shannon (H), Pielou (E), Green (GI) indices, and the actual distribution maps of the species were generated. The results revealed 10 WEFT species within the dense forests and young fallow having nine species, while the old fallow had seven species. The diversity indices showed that the reserve had low floristic diversity (H = 2.41 and E = 0.73) in WEFT species. Dialium guineense, Ficus capensis, Mimusops andongensis, and Pancovia bijuga, in the young fallow, Lecaniodiscus cupanioides, and Psidium guajava in the degraded dense forest and L. cupanioides, and P. bijuga in old fallow exhibited an aggregative distribution (GI), suggesting that more effort need to be put on their conservation in these vegetation types. The maps generated in this study can later be used as reference to carry out gap analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]