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ABSTRACT. Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum graminicola remains the most important foliar disease of sorghum in West and Central Africa. This paper describes the advances made in sorghum anthracnose research that has led to a better understanding of pathogenic and genotypic diversity, epidemiology and important disease management strategies. We further highlight how understanding pathogen diversity interplays with the major sustainable anthracnose management strategies such as the use of host plant resistance and crop residue management within the region.

S orghum bicolor (L.) Moench is a major staple cereal crop in the Sahelian and savannah zones of West Africa (WA), where it constitutes the main cereal in the diet of millions, mostly living in rural areas. Yields on farmers' fields average only 100 g m −2 (1 t ha −1 ) (FAOSTAT, 2018), despite the development of new varieties (Yapi et al., 2000;Atokple, 2003). In recent years, farmers in the savannah zones of WA have replaced sorghum with early-maturing maize (Zea mays L.) varieties, especially in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-producing systems, where fertilizer is easily available (Staatz et al., 2011;Theriault et al., 2018). However, area under sorghum has been increasing in these countries (FAOSTAT, 2018), because sorghum is the cereal crop that can be grown successfully without the use of mineral fertilizer. Thus, new sorghum varieties can provide advantages to farmers, especially if they are well adapted to low soil fertility, especially low-P (LP) conditions. This is particularly important

Création variétale décentralisée Sélection participative des variétés de sorgho à l'aide d'essais multilocaux dans deux zones cibles