Pigeonpea [(Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.)] production system, farmers’ preferred traits and implications for variety development and introduction in Benin

Abstract

Background: The success of crop varieties introduction is tightly linked to the uses, biophysical conditions, the cropping systems in which the crop is integrated and farmers' and consumers' preferences. In Benin, however, pigeonpea production systems including the cropping systems, marketing, utilizations and preferences have received little attention. This study aimed at analyzing farmers' practices and constraints related to pigeonpea production as well as identifying farmers' preferred traits in pigeonpea. Methods: The study was conducted in three pigeonpea-growing agroecological zones in Benin. Participatory rural appraisal tools including individual interview (n = 302) and group discussion were used to collect information on production system, constraints and preferred traits. Fisher's exact test was used to assess the relationship between crop associated with pigeonpea and the growing areas. Based on preferred traits, villages were clustered using UPGMA. Results: Pigeonpea is predominantly grown by men. Approximately 98% of the pigeonpea growers associated pigeonpea with other crops, while 2% of them grew the crop in pure stand. Pigeonpea grown in association with maize (48.7%) was the most encountered cropping system. The type of crops associated with pigeonpea depended on the growing area (P < 0.001), and a high diversity in crops combination was observed in the Department of Couffo. Lack of improved varieties, low productivity and lack of quality seed were major factors constraining pigeonpea production. The pigeonpea seed system was essentially informal with self-saved seed (79%), purchase from fellow farmers or from local markets (12%) and gift/exchange (9%) as seeds sources. Farmers' preferences traits varied across pigeonpea-growing area, but overall, high yielding, early maturing, and resistance to pod borers were the main reported preferred traits. Conclusion: Our results confirm the importance of pigeonpea both in the cropping systems and in contributing to ensure food security in the growing areas in Benin. Farmers' varietal preferences were identified. This information is important for designing appropriate strategies for sustainable pigeonpea production. Insight gained into farmers' preferred traits in pigeonpea varieties will also help in the choice of varieties or advanced breeding materials to be integrated into participatory varietal selection programs in order to improve productivity of the crop in Benin.

On-farm management and participatory evaluation of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan [L.] Millspaugh) diversity across the agro-ecological zones of Benin Republic

“…As reported by Ayenan et al [10] and Zavinon et al [12], our study showed that pigeonpea seed system in Benin is informal. Similar observations were made on pigeonpea in Tanzania [59] and in India [15].…”

“…Several studies were done on pigeonpea diversity in Benin. However, all previous investigations on pigeonpea in Benin have been restricted to South and Central Benin [9,10,11,12]. These studies reported 7 [11] and 8 [9] pigeonpea landraces with significant difference of diversity across the sociolinguistic groups and decreased production of this legume in Benin.…”

“…The procedures, through which a cultivar is bred, produced, certified, stored, marketed and used which includes all the channels through which farmers acquire genetic materials and in interaction with the commercial seed industry is known as seed system [16]. Thus, the success of crop varieties introduction is tightly linked to the uses, biophysical conditions, the cropping systems in which the crop is integrated which vary across growing areas [10]. Folk taxonomy is a pre-scientific type of naming and classification system rooted in culture [17].…”

Farmers’ Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Their Implications in the Zou Department of South Benin

“…It can also serve as a superior substitute for the use of chemicals to maintain soil fertility and control pests. Certain crops in a rotation system, especially pigeon pea and mucuna, are reputed to control weeds and improve soil fertility [33]. Diversified cropping systems, in general, tend to be more agronomically stable and resilient [31,32].…”

Exploring levels of egg parasitism and variation in egg cuticular chemistry in different Clavigralla spp.

“…In Bénin, samples were collected during the long rainy season (May to June 2016) in ten villages from four regions: Southern Bénin (Abomey‐Calavi), Eastern Bénin (Ketou, Pobe), Western Bénin (Klouekanme) and Central Bénin (Dassa‐Zounme, Djidja). These counties and regions are considered as the main grain legume production areas in both countries (Minja et al, ; Gbaguidi, Dansi, Loko, Dansi, & Sanni, ; Ayenan, Ofori, Ahoton, & Danquah, ). The geographical coordinates were recorded at each site (Table ).…”