New PhD Achievement at GBioS: Dr. Christel Ferréol Azon’s Research on Sesame Production in Benin

Congratulations to Dr. Christel Ferréol Azon on successfully defending his PhD thesis entitled “Developing pathways for higher yielding cultivars of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) adapted to agroecological zones of Benin” at the University of Abomey-Calavi, within the Genetics, Biotechnology, and Seed Science Unit (GBioS). This outstanding achievement marks another important milestone in his academic journey […]
Challenges and opportunities in the okra (Abelmoschus spp.) seed system in Benin

Blalogoe JS, Ayenan MAT, Aglinglo LA, N’Danikou S, Schafleitner R and Achigan-Dako EG (2025) Challenges and opportunities in the okra (Abelmoschus spp.) seed system in Benin.Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 9:1614338. DOI :10.3389/fsufs.2025.1614338 Introduction: Well-functioning seed systems are essential for disseminating improved crop varieties and boosting agricultural production. Understanding their functioning is key to designing tailored […]
Combining ability and heterosis analysis for mineral content in the leafy vegetable Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.

Houdegbe AC, Achigan-Dako EG, Sogbohossou EOD, Odindo AO, Schranz ME, Sibiya J (2025) Combining ability and heterosis analysis for mineral content in the leafy vegetable Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq. PLoS One 20(9): e0332095. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332095 Spider plant (Gynandropsis gynandra) is a leafy vegetable rich in micronutrients, including minerals, vitamins, and secondary metabolites, making it a valuable opportunity crop […]
SNP markers revealed the genetic diversity and population structure of Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze Syn. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit accessions collected in Benin

Dossa AF, Tchokponhoué DA, Houdegbe AC, Achigan-Dako EG (2025) SNP markers revealed the genetic diversity and population structure of Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze Syn. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit accessions collected in Benin. PLoS One 20(9): e0331702. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0331702 Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze is a wild species with many biological activities in medicine. The species can potentially serve as a pesticide […]
Agroecology Serving Local Territories

The Contributions of the ARES AGRO-ECO Project In response to the growing challenges of intensive agriculture, climate change, and the degradation of natural resources, agroecology is emerging as a sustainable and locally adapted solution. It is within this framework that the AGRO-ECO project was launched, led by the Genetics, Biotechnology, and Seed Science Unit (GBioS) […]
Plant tissue type and mineral contents shape endophytic bacterial communities in the Sisrè berry plant [Synsepalum dulcificum (Schumach & Thonn.) Daniell] in Benin

Rabiath F. R. Adigoun, Alexis Durand, Hervé N. S. Aholoukpè, Dèdéou A. Tchokponhoué, Enoch G. Achigan-Dako, Aimé H. Bokonon-Ganta, Emile Benizri (2025) Plant tissue type and mineral contents shape endophytic bacterial communities in the Sisrè berry plant [Synsepalum dulcificum (Schumach & Thonn.) Daniell] in Benin. PLoS One 20(7): e0327715. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327715 Diverse endophytic bacteria inhabit distinct […]
Participatory evaluation of tolerant tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) genotypes in naturally contaminated fields by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex in Benin

Bagri Bouraïma, M., Sikirou, R., Zohoungbogbo, H. P., Sakiti, C., Awe, E. V., Ahohuendo, B. C., & Achigan-Dako, E. G. (2025). Participatory evaluation of tolerant tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) genotypes in naturally contaminated fields by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex in Benin. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 1-19. https://rdcu.be/euJri Bacterial wilt (BW), caused by the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC), […]
First Report of Macrophomina phaseolina Causing Leaf Spot of Kersting’s Groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal et Baudet] in Benin

Toure, O. Y., Tchemadon, G. C., Achigan-Dako, E. G., Nebie, B., & Afouda, L. A. (2025). First Report of Macrophomina phaseolina Causing Leaf Spot of Kersting’s Groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal et Baudet] in Benin. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-23-1661-PDN Kersting’s groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal et Baudet] is a neglected and underutilized nutrient-rich crop grown in Benin […]
Exploring farmer perspectives on Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc]: production constraints, preferred varietal traits and implications for varietal development in northern Namibia

Pasipanodya J.T., Horn L.N., Togarepi C., Sibiya J., Musango R. and Achigan-Dako E.G. 2025. Exploring farmer perspectives on Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc]: production constraints, preferred varietal traits and implications for varietal development in northern Namibia. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 9:1520677. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1520677 In Namibia, Bambara groundnut is one of the few legume crops […]
Genetic diversity and population structure studies of West African sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] collection using DArTseq

Mahaman Mourtala I.Z., Gouda A.C., Baina D.J., Maxwell N.I., Adje C.O., Baragé M., Happiness O.O. 2025. Genetic diversity and population structure studies of West African sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] collection using DArTseq. PloS one.;20(1):e0312384. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312384. Sweetpotato is a vegetatively propagated crop cultivated worldwide, predominantly in developing countries, valued for its adaptability, short growth cycle, […]
