Regeneration and Preliminary Characterization of Asian and African Okra (Abelmoschus spp.) Germplasm

The morphological variability of 56 okra (Abelmoschus spp.) Accessions was evaluated over two years (2008 and 2009). Ten (10) agromorphological characters were evaluated in the Sadoré station in Niger. The hierarchical ascendant classification (CAH) and the discriminant factor analysis (AFD) revealed four groups (GI, GII, GIII and GIV). The accessions in groups I and IV have high values of Lfm, Dfm, Height, and Nloc, Nepi and cons by low values. However, Flo or Fruct values are relatively higher in accessions of group III and IV than in accessions of group I. Similarly, accessions of group II have higher values in Flo and Fruct than group II. However, accessions of group II are much later in terms of which accessions in group I, which, in turn, have lower values in Flo and Fruct, so these are compared to those of Group II. The results show that the most discriminating variables that make it possible to describe Variability among the groups identified are the diameter of mature fruits (Dfm), Plant height (Height) and branch of plant number (Nbrch). The characters analyzed can thus constitute basic criteria to differentiate accessions from other regions of West Africa and serve for a study of variability between the remains of okra accessions collected in Niger. Opportunities for improvement can also be considered to identify varieties that have a high adaptive potential due to climate change

Influence De La Géomorphologie Sur La Distribution Spatiale Des Peuplements De Boscia Senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. Ex Poir. Dans La Commune Rurale De Simiri (Ouest Niger)

B. senegalensis is a species with broad geographic distribution in the Sahel, especially in Niger, thanks to its special anatomical structures to withstand drought, high temperatures and poor soils. It presents and a heterogeneous distribution in the following areas topographic levels characteristic of the western Niger. This paper aimed to assess the distribution of B. senegalensis and its relationship with woody species through the description of the spatial structure of the point process following toposequences by Ripley's method stands. The study highlighted the gregarious distribution of B. senegalensis and the close relationship between B. senegalensis and other species. Indeed, the species is in competition with other species on the plateau where water resources are scarce. But B. senegalensis tolerate these species on the slopes and in the shallows where water resources are relatively large

High selfing rate inferred for white fonio [Digitaria exilis (Kippist.) Stapf] reproductive system opens up opportunities for breeding programs

International audienceIn a context of the global major changes, it is mandatory to enlarge the range of crops supporting food security and pay great attention to neglected and underutilized species. However, basic knowledge of the biology of many neglected and underutilized species is still lacking to increase their yields. In this study, the mating system of white fonio [Digitaria exilis (Kippist.) Stapf], a West African minor and promising cereal, is assessed. Progenies arrays from both homozygous and heterozygous mothers were genotyped with microsatellites markers. The rate of genotyping errors in the experiments was assessed and a likelihood framework was used to determine the probability of different mating systems: outcrossing, self-fertilization and apomixis. The results suggested that white fonio has a highly selfing reproductive system with a possible outcrossing rate of 1.7%. Understanding the reproduction system of white fonio opens up opportunities for more effective breeding programs and a wider use of this cereal for food security improvement