On-Farm Management of Soybean (Glycine max) Varietal Diversity in Southern and Central Regions of the Republic of Benin

• Published in: Agricultural research (India : Online) Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 359 - 372
• Main Authors: Loko, Yêyinou Laura Estelle, Zandjanakou-Tachin, Martine, Montcho, David, Toffa, Joelle, Agolo, Antif, Okpeicha, Rolande, Orobiyi, Azize, Gavoedo, Dieudonné, Dansi, Alexandre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Springer India 01.09.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Conservation; Crop production; Farm management; Farms; Food security; Full-Length Research Article; Glycine max; Legumes; Life Sciences; Morphology; Nomenclature; Physical characteristics; Plant Biochemistry; Plant Ecology; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Sciences; Poverty; Rabbits; Seeds; Soybeans; Sustainable use; Taxonomy; Villages; Benin; Storage pests; Varietal preference; Production constraints; Varietal diversity; Traditional uses; Seed system
• ISSN: 2249-720X; 2249-7218
• DOI: 10.1007/s40003-021-00576-6

Soybean ( Glycine max L. Merr) is a legume that contributes to food security and poverty reduction in Benin. Unfortunately, its culture is subject to several undocumented constraints that contribute to decline in productivity and a loss of diversity. Therefore, documentation of production constraints, varietal diversity seed system and traditional uses of soybeans in main production area of Benin Republic is necessary for its conservation and sustainable use. To fill these gaps, 57 villages were prospected in southern and central Benin using the tools and techniques of participatory research such as individual surveys using a questionnaire and field visits. A total 445 soybean producers were surveyed in the study area. The results show that soybean local nomenclature and local taxonomy were mainly based on seeds size. Thirty-five soybean local varieties were recorded corresponding to 7 varieties differentiated by morphological seed characteristics. The number of soybeans local varieties ranged from 1 to 4 per village. Farmers have abandoned some soybean local varieties and the main reasons for abandonment were agronomics. Eight varietal preference criteria were identified in the study area with high yield and seed size being important. The ravages of hares and rabbits were the main constraints to soybean production in both region. The soybean seed system was essentially informal. Various uses (food, feed and commercial) of soybeans, which underlie its conservation in traditional Beninese agriculture, have been recorded. As part of the development of conservation strategy of an existing soybean diversity in southern and central Benin, morphological and molecular characterization were recommended.